Firefighters quit job to support co-worker in Rio Hondo

RIO HONDO - Nine of the city's 15 volunteer firefighters quit Friday to protest the firing of Sam Martinez, who served as both the police and fire chief, leaving the department's ability to fight fires in question, officials said.

The city may have to ask fire departments in Harlingen or Arroyo City for help until it recruits new volunteers, said Carlos Ayala, president of the Cameron County Emergency Service District.

"A walkout like that is not in the best interest of the city," said Ayala, whose board oversees emergency services in the county's unincorporated areas. "A walkout like this is like, who's going to take care of the city?"

The resignations came one day after the City Commission fired Martinez - who served as police and fire chief - because he did not disclose that he was working a second job at a Pizza Hut.

"Trying to hold the department hostage for something the commission did is not acceptable," Mayor Santiago Saldaña.

The nine firefighters turned in their gear Friday to show their anger over the commission's decision, said Assistant Fire Chief Henry Peña, who said he wouldn't resign.

"I got a little teary because these are longtime friends of mine," said Peña, a 15-year veteran of the department.

"They're losing the meaning of being a volunteer firefighter - to serve the community," he said. "I supported the chief, too, but I can't leave the fire department in turmoil. I still have a community to serve and I'm going to serve my community."

The department needs 20 to 25 volunteers to cover its 206-square-mile area, Peña said.

"We've got to rebuild," he said.

Across town, residents like Ruby Salazar questioned the commissioners' decision to fire Martinez.

"I think it was unfair," the call center supervisor said as she shopped at a grocery store. "I don't think he did anything wrong. He was a good man.

"I'll do whatever it takes to support him."

Pete Castillo called Martinez the best Rio Hondo police chief he recalled.

"I was shocked," Castillo said as he shopped. "He's a very nice man - very honest and trustworthy.

"In my opinion he was doing a real good job. He's always there for you when you need him."

Commissioners fired Martinez a month after they found out he never disclosed the job he held with Pizza Hut since 1992, Saldaña said.

"It's the importance of that position. He's not an hourly employee who works 8 to 5. He's a salaried employee - a full-time police chief," Saldaña said.

But Commissioner Celeste Tello, who cast the lone dissenting vote against firing Martinez, said she didn't think Martinez's failure to disclose his outside employment should have cost him his job with the city.

"I don't think we have the authority or the right to tell anyone you can only work here and you can't work for anyone else, especially in this economy," Tello said.

Martinez said he informed a previous City Commission of his Pizza Hut job when he was hired as chief in 1999.

"For them to say they didn't know about it was ridiculous," Martinez said of commissioners who voted to fire him.

Last year's tax returns show his Pizza Hut job paid him $1,800 last year, Martinez said.

Martinez said he worked a couple of hours a week at Pizza Hut, mostly on weekends.

"For them to say I was taking away from my police chief duties was ridiculous," Martinez said. "The community knows they had a full-time chief. I never worked during my hours.

"What hurt me was I felt the commissioners should have trusted me."

Last month, Cindy Sanchez, who manages a Pizza Hut restaurant on Morgan Boulevard in Harlingen, confirmed that Martinez works there.

"He's in charge of the drivers. He makes sure they do what they're supposed to do," she said.

Martinez said he will meet Tuesday with attorney Bill Kimball to discuss legal options.

Martinez said he believes commissioners fired him because he launched a criminal investigation, which he said will now be turned over to an outside law enforcement agency.

Martinez declined to disclose the nature or subject of the investigation.

But Saldaña said Martinez had launched an investigation into City Administrator Arturo Prida. He said he did not have any other details.

Saldaña said Martinez's firing had nothing to do with that investigation.

"It was hard to make that type of decision, especially since he was working here all that time," Saldaña said. "It was not personal at all."

Saldaña said the city will launch a search for a new police chief.