By Karen Gleason
The 830 Times
Del Rio City Council members Tuesday welcomed the city’s new chief of police with a swearing-in ceremony followed by a cake reception.
Mayor Bruno “Ralphy” Lozano announced the ceremony, an item on the council’s regular meeting agenda, by saying, “I now welcome our new chief of police, Mr. Frank Ramirez, with a swearing-in ceremony. Welcome to our team.”
City Personnel Director Mario Garcia introduced Alternate Municipal Court Judge F. Gail Schroeter and Ramirez to the council and ushered the pair to a place in front of the council dais.
Lozano joined Schroeter and Ramirez, holding the new police chief’s DRPD badge.
Schroeter then administered the oath of office.
Ramirez was selected as chief from a slate of four finalists. He most recently served as a lieutenant in the Port Arthur, Texas, police department. His selection was confirmed by the city council during its Sept. 14 meeting.
After the swearing-in ceremony, Ramirez spoke to the council.
“Since I got to Del Rio, when I first came to this town, the first thing I did was to stop and talk to a few people, and I got nothing but two words for this city: kindness and support. As soon as I started asking simple questions, like, ‘Where’s the police department?’ People were kind enough to point me in the right direction,” Ramirez said.
“Since then I’ve talked to people at the city … nothing but kindness and support. Everybody that I’ve talked with. I have not met one negative person yet. You don’t see that in a city. You don’t see that everywhere you go. I know that I have made the right decision, and I’m honored and fortunate that you all let me be your police chief.
“I want you to know that I’m going to do the best I can, and we’re going to work as hard as we can to serve the citizens of Del Rio. I really appreciate it, and thank you all very much,” Ramirez concluded.
After applause from the council and audience, Lozano announced the council would take a 10-minute recess so each member and members of the audience could welcome Ramirez personally and enjoy cake and coffee.
—
Contact the author at delriomagnoliafan@gmail.com
