LA FERIA — Police Chief Don Garcia, who has served as the city’s top cop for 15 years, is retiring after 36 years with the police department.
Garcia, 63, whose salary is about $64,000, will leave office June 30.
“At 36 years, it’s time to retire,” Garcia said yesterday.
Recent knee surgery influenced Garcia’s decision to retire, City Manager Sunny Philip said.
“He’s done a wonderful job,” said Mayor Olga Hinojosa Maldonado, a former city commissioner who was elected mayor in May. “We hate to see him go.”
Philip said he has appointed Precinct 5 Constable Cesar Rene Diaz to replace Garcia.
Diaz, who has served as the area’s constable since 2005, was hired Wednesday at a salary of $55,000, city officials said.
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