Their appointments come about five months after leaving the sheriff’s department at the end of December 2020.
Both Lucio and Reyna approached Gomez asking if they could serve as reserve deputy constables with his office, Gomez said. They applied for the positions.
Commissioners Court approved their appointment on Tuesday. Reyna was sworn in Wednesday as a reserve deputy constable.
Gomez said the reason he decided to commission Lucio and Reyna is because they bring a wealth of knowledge to his office due to the years of experience they have in law enforcement.
“From time to time we have situations here that we have to run through legal (the county’s legal department) they may be new experiences for us, but they (Lucio and Reyna) are a good resource for me to have on call in case I have a question or concern that I don’t feel 100 percent confident about what my decision (is),” will be Gomez said.
“I think that they would be a great resource to also have on call just as a reference to make sure we are doing things right,” Gomez said.
Neither Lucio nor Reyna could be reached for comment on Thursday.
Gomez said in order for a peace officer not to lose his law enforcement license, he or she has to keep it commissioned with a law enforcement agency.
“It is not uncommon for a police officer who either went to do something else…to request a law enforcement agency to keep them as a reserved officer,” the constable said.
Lucio served as Cameron County sheriff for five terms with Reyna by his side during those terms. Lucio also served as police chief for the city of Mercedes and was employed with the Harlingen Police Department for many years.
Although Lucio ran for reelection in 2020, he failed to garner enough votes in the July 14, 2020 runoff race against Eric Garza to be the Democratic Party sheriff’s nomination for the November general election. Garza went on to defeat Republican candidate John Chambers in the November election to be the county’s next sheriff.
Gomez said since Lucio’s and Reyna’s positions are voluntary they will only be required to work three days a month with the Constable’s Office. Their duties will be the same as assignments made to those deputy constables in the office.
“They will do any assignment basically that we see is needed here in the office or out in the field. Whether it be traffic, or office duties, or answering the phones or taking reports or any law enforcement duties,” Gomez said.
