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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Residents of Dilley lost one of their most esteemed |
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native sons and public servants with the death of former Chief of |
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Police Santos Martinez on April 12, 2009, at the age of 57; and |
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WHEREAS, Santos Martinez was born in Dilley on May 24, 1951, |
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to Prajades and Margarita Martinez; the youngest of 10 children, he |
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grew up working in the watermelon fields; after graduating from |
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Dilley High School, he joined the Frio County Sheriff's Department |
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as a dispatcher and soon thereafter decided to run for public |
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office; he was subsequently elected as the county constable for |
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Precinct 4; and |
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WHEREAS, While serving in this role, Officer Martinez |
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undertook a dangerous undercover assignment at the request of |
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federal law enforcement agencies that had been investigating a |
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South Texas drug cartel for 10 years; he quickly infiltrated the |
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group with his easygoing nature, and his efforts led to multiple |
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arrests, bringing down the cartel in a matter of days; and |
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WHEREAS, He became chief of the Dilley Police Department in |
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1994, and during nearly 15 years on the job, he earned the respect |
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and admiration of local, state, and federal officers alike; |
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moreover, Chief Martinez was known for his loyalty to the city and |
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for his easy rapport with citizens, making him not only a highly |
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effective peace officer but also a beloved figure in the community; |
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despite struggling with diabetes, Chief Martinez continued to work |
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as long as he was able, retiring only shortly before he died; and |
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WHEREAS, In all of his endeavors, he enjoyed the love and |
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support of his wife, Teresa, and the couple were blessed with a |
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daughter, Bianca, and two grandchildren; and |
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WHEREAS, Santos Martinez exemplified the highest ideals of |
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his profession, carrying out his duties with compassion, |
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dedication, and courage, and he will be forever remembered with |
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deep appreciation by the citizens he served and by all those whose |
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lives he touched; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas |
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Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Santos Martinez and |
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extend sincere condolences to the members of his family: to his |
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wife, Teresa Martinez; to his daughter, Bianca Marshall, and her |
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husband, Casey; to his grandsons, Jeremiah H. Martinez and Elijah |
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Santos Martinez Marshall; and to his other relatives and many |
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friends; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of |
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Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Santos |
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Martinez. |