By Karen Gleason
The 830 Times
A majority of Del Rio City Council members Tuesday confirmed the appointment of Frank Ramirez as the new chief of the Del Rio Police Department.
Councilman Steven Webb was the only member to vote against Ramirez’s appointment.
Interim City Manager John Sheedy announced Thursday he had selected Ramirez from a slate of four finalists. Ramirez most recently served as a lieutenant in the Port Arthur, Texas, police department and is expected to begin work here before the end of the month.
Ramirez attended the Tuesday meeting at City Hall.
Mayor Bruno “Ralphy” Lozano read the title to the resolution confirming Ramirez’s appointment and made the motion to approve it, with Councilman J.P. Sanchez giving the second.
“Council, are there any concerns or questions regarding the appointment of Mr. Frank Ramirez to be police chief?” Lozano asked his fellow council members after making the motion.
Webb, asked first, said, “None.”
Sanchez said he had no further questions or concerns, but Councilman Raul Ojeda asked, “He is qualified, yes? It’s just a general question.”
“I think it’s a very valid question, Councilman Ojeda, considering some of the things that have happened. Mr. Sheedy, we have a qualified and certified peace officer and certified to be chief of police, correct?” Mayor Pro-tem Alfredo “Fred” Carranza Jr. said.
“Yes, absolutely we do. We had 24 initial applicants, and we narrowed that down to four. It took us a little bit of time, but of course we had a change in the city manager, and it took us a little bit of time to get through the four, but we had four really strong contenders,” Sheedy replied.
“Mr. Ramirez has experience. I personally visited with some folks in Port Arthur. He is certified. He’s got all the certifications, all the trainings. I’ve shared the resumes, and his is quite extensive, but he is good to go,” Sheedy added.
“Okay, good, thank you, and Mr. Ramirez, I’d like to welcome you to the city of Del Rio,” Carranza said.
Councilman Jim DeReus said, “Welcome to Del Rio. Look forward to working with you.”
Councilwoman Alexandra Falcon Calderon said, “Welcome to Del Rio, Texas.”
“I just want to welcome you, Mr. Ramirez, soon to be Chief Ramirez, to the city of Del Rio, Texas. Welcome to our community, and we wish you the best, so thank you, sir,” Lozano said.
Ramirez thanked the council from his spot in the audience, but did not formally address the council.
The mayor then called for the vote, and all of the council members except Webb voted in favor of the motion.
After the meeting, the 830 Times asked Webb why he had voted against the motion to confirm Ramirez’s appointment.
“I’m a man of ethics. I believe that I stuck by the man I wanted to see as chief, and I stuck with him through all the interviews, everything that he was going through, I supported him the whole time. I do not change my side of the street. Nothing against Mr. Ramirez. He’s an ideal candidate, but a man of ethics, as I am, I have to stick with the man I’ve supported,” Webb said.
Asked whom he had supported, Webb replied, “Capt. (Rick) Roman.”
Roman was one of two local finalists for the police chief position. The other was Capt. Robert Guzman.
Both Roman and Guzman, as well as the department’s third captain, Rey Garcia, attended the meeting.
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