FORT WORTH, Texas — A Fort Worth police officer called out three members of the Fort Worth city council for failing to attend the funeral of fallen Sergeant Billy Randolph, who died while responding to a crash last week.
In a now-deleted post, Jimmy Pollozani, a public information officer with the Fort Worth Police Department, wrote that three Fort Worth Council Members, Chris Nettles, Jared Williams and Elizabeth Beck, failed to attend Randolph's funeral.
"Their absence at this crucial moment reflects poorly on their commitment to honoring those who serve their community," the post reads. "We owe it to our heroes to show up and pay our respects."
Sergeant Randolph died last week after responding to the scene of a crash where police say a drunk driver drove through protective barriers and hit him.
Pollozani also referred to the three council members as "the Fort Worth squad," alluding to a group of progressive lawmakers in the U.S. House which includes Reps. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez of New York and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan.
Councilman Nettles responded to the post saying, If you got something to say, say it to my face! Nettles defended missing Randolph's funeral.
"Due to unseen circumstances," said Chris Nettles, "family obligations, I was unable to attend Saturday, but my heart and my prayers were there."
Councilwoman Elizabeth Beck explained, "I had a previous obligation Saturday morning for my daughter. We have 11 council members, we have 1800 police officers, and my child has one mother."
Councilman Jared Williams shared with fellow council members that he also had important family obligations. Sources tell WFAA that one of the Fort Worth Deputy Chiefs did not attend the funeral of Sgt. Randolph due to a family obligation as well.
Officer Pollozani did not mention Councilwoman Jeanette Martinez in his social media post, but she told WFAA she attended the vigil on Wednesday, but she did not attend the funeral because she attended a job fair in her district. Still, Officer Pollozani wrote in his post about the other three council members saying, we owe it to our heroes to show up and pay our respects.
The department's social media policy states that officers are allowed to "express themselves as private citizens on social media sites to the degree that their speech does not impair working relationships for which loyalty and confidentiality are important, impede the performance of duties, impair discipline and harmony among coworkers, or negatively affect the public perception of the Fort Worth Police Department."
Neither Chief Noakes nor Pollozani were available for comment, according to a Fort Worth Police Department spokesperson.
If a violation of the social media policy occurred, an investigation per the General Orders would begin. As of Monday morning, the department has not received a formal complaint, the spokesperson said.
Pollozani has previously sought public office, running as a Republican for Tarrant County Commissioner in Precinct 3.
COUNCILWOMAN BECK STATEMENT
"I had a previous obligation Saturday morning for my daughter. I did not know Sgt. Billy Randolph, but during the vigil I learned that family was incredibly important to him, especially children, not just his own, but an extended family that needed him. I know that family was important to him and that's where I was. We have 11 council members, we have 1800 police officers, and my child has one mother. Most importantly, the story should never be about the unprofessional statements of a member of the Fort Worth Police Department, because we just lost a 30-year veteran of the Fort Worth Police Department, and what we should be focusing on is the legacy he left behind."