82R7177 JGH-D
By: King of Zavala H.R. No. 655
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Residents of Dilley lost one of their most esteemed
native sons and public servants with the death of former Chief of
Police Santos Martinez on April 12, 2009, at the age of 57; and
WHEREAS, Santos Martinez was born in Dilley on May 24, 1951,
to Prajades and Margarita Martinez; the youngest of 10 children, he
grew up working in the watermelon fields; after graduating from
Dilley High School, he joined the Frio County Sheriff's Department
as a dispatcher and soon thereafter decided to run for public
office; he was subsequently elected as the county constable for
Precinct 4; and
WHEREAS, While serving in this role, Officer Martinez
undertook a dangerous undercover assignment at the request of
federal law enforcement agencies that had been investigating a
South Texas drug cartel for 10 years; he quickly infiltrated the
group with his easygoing nature, and his efforts led to multiple
arrests, bringing down the cartel in a matter of days; and
WHEREAS, He became chief of the Dilley Police Department in
1994, and during nearly 15 years on the job, he earned the respect
and admiration of local, state, and federal officers alike;
moreover, Chief Martinez was known for his loyalty to the city and
for his easy rapport with citizens, making him not only a highly
effective peace officer but also a beloved figure in the community;
despite struggling with diabetes, Chief Martinez continued to work
as long as he was able, retiring only shortly before he died; and
WHEREAS, In all of his endeavors, he enjoyed the love and
support of his wife, Teresa, and the couple were blessed with a
daughter, Bianca, and two grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, Santos Martinez exemplified the highest ideals of
his profession, carrying out his duties with compassion,
dedication, and courage, and he will be forever remembered with
deep appreciation by the citizens he served and by all those whose
lives he touched; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Santos Martinez and
extend sincere condolences to the members of his family: to his
wife, Teresa Martinez; to his daughter, Bianca Marshall, and her
husband, Casey; to his grandsons, Jeremiah H. Martinez and Elijah
Santos Martinez Marshall; and to his other relatives and many
friends; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Santos
Martinez.