Uvalde Police Chief Daniel Rodriguez has announced his resignation from the force, effective April 6, after 26 years of service, including a tenure that saw the deadliest school shooting in Texas history. "It was a privilege to serve the City of Uvalde," Rodriguez conveyed in a letter addressed to the city manager on Tuesday. The city responded with gratitude stating, "We wish him the best as he pursues new career opportunities.," according to KXAN.
Rodriguez's departure comes on the heels of a contentious report, which faces harsh criticism from the community for exonerating the local police officers' response during the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School. A week before the resignation, Austin-based investigator and former police detective Jesse Prado presented his findings, claiming Uvalde's officers acted in "good faith". The children inside the classrooms made 911 calls, pleading as the massacre unfolded; all the while, law enforcement took more than a stressful hour to neutralize the gunman.
The city named Assistant Chief of Police Homer Delgado as the interim chief while the search for a full-time replacement commences. A city statement, obtained by KXAN, expressed confidence in continued prosperity for the police department under new leadership. Rodriguez extended his hope for the best for the organization's future. During the shooting, Rodriguez was not in town, and the department was instead overseen by Lt. Mariano Pargas, who has since stepped down.
The latest report that spurred Rodriguez's departure placed the onus of some blame onto families who, in desperation, rushed to the school during the shooting, allegedly complicating the response by law enforcement—a stark contrast to earlier state and federal reports that castigated the local police's actions at virtually every level. The Uvalde City Council is set to meet Tuesday night for the first time since the findings from Prado's report were presented, as detailed by CBS News. The unfolding story will likely see discussions surrounding the future of policing in Uvalde and the community's search for closure and accountability.
