Three law enforcement & two nursing positions open

WILLACY COUNTY CHIEF DEPUTY DAVID MARTINEZ, right, was fired Friday by his boss, Sheriff Larry Spence, after the sheriff told him he was no longer comfortable with him, and that it was time to move the department forward. The two seasoned law officials served together for almost 20 years, and were political opponents up until Tuesday night. Gayle Calderola, left, a former Raymondville attorney, defended Martinez successfully in criminal charges filed by District Attorney Juan Angel "Johnny" Guerra. The charges were dropped due to no evidence by a special prosecutor late last year. Photo courtesy of The Valley Morning Star.

Willacy County Sheriff Larry Spence fired his longtime chief deputy, David Martinez, early Friday morning. The duo had worked together for almost two decades, and were campaign opponents along with Constable Benjamin Vera in this month's Democratic primary.

Spence won Tuesday's election by a landslide, and Martinez trailed third after Vera's second place finish.

Martinez provided the Chronicle/News a copy of his termination letter from Spence, which states; "Dear Chief Martinez, This letter is to inform you that as of this date your services are no longer required or needed with this department. I thank you for the service you have given in the past, and wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors."

Spence told Martinez at a 9:45 a.m. meeting that, "You've done a lot for the department, but with the turn of events I don't feel comfortable anymore," said Spence, in an audio recording of the meeting. "I feel you need to resign...or I'll give you a letter."

Spence went on to say, "We've been together a long time, and I feel we should still be friends, and not go cross-ways. Let me know if I can help you."

Martinez, who is now homeless, since he was living in a department supplied trailer unit in Port Mansfield, was shocked earlier today.

"I just got through negotiating a rate increase with the U.S. Marshal's Service," Martinez said. "It will go to $60/day from $45/day," referring to reimbursement for housing federal inmates at the county jail. "I'm the one whose gotten the county all the grant money we've been awarded."

In addition to Martinez's vacancy, Spence still needs to find a jail administrator, that was approved last year by county commissioners.

He also needs to replace another deputy sheriff who resigned last month, and hire two nurses who are resigning on March 19th.

At a Feb. 13th debate at the Raymondville Museum and Historical Center, both Martinez and Spence painted a gloomy picture of their department.

Both men characterized a department that had no money, no flak vests for deputies, almost no patrol cars running, and deputies being paid $10-12 thousand less than comparable jobs in the City of Raymondville and in other counties.

At the debate, Martinez astonished the audience when he shouted, "We have a crack-cocaine factory here in Willacy County, and they're selling it to our kids at $250/ounce."

Debate moderator Ron Whitlock of Valley Newsline asked Martinez what he was going to do about the crack-cocaine factory. Martinez said he would work on shutting it down the very next morning.

In a follow-up inquiry by the Chronicle/News on Feb. 20th, Martinez said he had contacted other agencies, but that the factory was still operating. As of today, it was reported that the factory has now moved.

Spence told the Chronicle/ News Friday afternoon that, "If there was going to be a time, now is the time," referring to Martinez's termination. "I want to move the department forward now."

Martinez said that he had wanted to stay and help rebuild the department.

"My plan is to return in three years and run again for sheriff," Martinez added.

The Feb. 13th debate segment will be viewable by video later this week on the Chronicle/News website.