HARLINGEN — Police are asking for help in finding a well-known Harlingen attorney who went missing Tuesday morning.
Ernesto “El Gallito” Gonzales was last heard from, Tuesday at around 5:30 a.m.
His sister said they were scheduled to meet at 8:30 a.m. that day outside of his law practice in the 1600 block of South F St.
Gonzales’ truck was parked outside his place of business, but when he never showed up, his sister alerted the authorities.
Gonzales’ practice covers different types of cases including criminal, divorce and personal injury.
His nickname, “El Gallito,” was given to him by the late state District Judge Darrell B. Hester because of his aggressive courtroom tactics.
Gonzales has a very distinguishable mustache. In the photo police posted of him, the 62-year-old sits on his white horse named Alamo, wearing a cowboy hat and button-down shirt with a U.S. flag pattern.
The Harlingen native is a graduate of Pan American University and the Thurgood Marshall School of Law and is a former Primera mayor and city attorney.
He was also a candidate for Cameron County Precinct 5, Place 1, Justice of the Peace, but lost to Sallie Gonzalez.
Shortly after the police department posted information on Gonzales being missing to Facebook, comments from former clients and residents came in, wishing for his safe return.
According to police Commander John Parrish, there is currently no sign of foul play.
Police are treating this case as a welfare concern and are asking that anyone with information on Gonzales’ whereabouts call the department at 956-425-TIPS (8477) or contact the current investigator at 956-244-3165.
