MARFA — Marfa ISD School Resource Officer (SRO) and Marfa Police Department patrolman Ian Martinez left the role on May 21 to pursue a career with the Texas Department of Public Safety.
“Officer Martinez is an outstanding officer and served the community with commendable work ethic,” Marfa PD posted on Facebook. “We wish him good luck and well wishes on his future endeavors as he enters the Texas DPS Academy.”
Martinez, a 2019 Marfa High School graduate, was sworn in as the SRO in February 2023. The position, which came about as a measure to bolster school security in the wake of the Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, is largely grant funded. In January of 2024 the City of Marfa received a $121,500 Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grant from the U.S. Department of Justice to subsidize the role. The grant covers 75% of the SRO’s salary for three years, with the other 25% being covered by Marfa ISD.
In addition to monitoring Marfa ISD’s campus on and off for the past couple of years — previous Marfa PD officers Arturo Alferez Jr. and King Meritt also served stints as the SRO — Martinez served on the city police force, helping patrol the town.
Martinez plans to pursue a career with DPS and may potentially be stationed back in Marfa under that department after completing training at the academy in Austin, according to Chief Gilberto Carrillo. Marfa PD is actively seeking Martinez’s replacement. Carrillo said the SRO position will ideally be filled before the start of the next school year. But, so far, the department has only received one applicant, he said, who is currently enrolled in El Paso Community College Law Enforcement Academy and graduates in August.
To apply for the SRO position, visit the city’s website or email Chief Carrillo or Lt. Nichole Fuentes at gcarrillo@cityofmarfa.com and LTfuentes@cityofmarfa.com.