I am a native of Austin, Texas and a proud alumnus of Metz Elementary, Travis Heights Elementary, Martin Jr. High and Travis High School class of 1977. I attended Austin Community College and Southwest Texas State University prior to entering the 63rd Police Academy of the Austin Police Department.

My father was killed by a drunk driver when I was ten years old. My mother struggled to raise six kids as a single parent. Looking back at my childhood, I can thank my mom for sticking it out and continually pointing us in the direction of local role models in our community. Additionally, my public school teachers at every level were a true inspiration. Collectively through their influence, I learned how to maneuver through challenges while recognizing I could expect equal rewards for
my good efforts. By the way, each of my siblings accomplished personal success in their chosen fields as well. Much credit to our Mom.

I graduated from the Austin Police Academy on January 9, 1981. My assignments included Uniform Patrol, Crime Prevention Unit, Undercover Repeat Offender Program, Hispanic Crime Unit and Gang Prevention Unit. My decorations include hundreds of individual commendations and merit awards for Crime Prevention, Undercover and Gang Prevention excellence. I received Officer of the Year and Unit of the Year along with my partner Senior Officer Robert Martinez Sr. during our assignment in the Gang Prevention Unit. I was promoted to Detective in 1993 and assigned to the Criminal Investigation Section.

I created and introduced the POLICE ICE character in 1992 as a non traditional approach to prevention and youth advocacy. My partner Robert Martinez Sr. was the most decorated Austin Police Officer at that time. With Robert and I working up a classic funny guy/straight man approach, we provided a thought provoking presentation as The Tour To Stop The Violence featuring Mark Gil as POLICE ICE and Robert Martinez as THE LEGEND. In 1992 our prevention strategy was featured nationally on a segment of the CBS television network series TOP COPS.

In 1994, Robert and I were knocked out of our seats when we were contacted by The White House and informed of our selection to receive a presidential commendation from President Clinton. I will never forget the flight to Washington when Robert looked at me and said, "Not bad for a couple of East Austin homeboys, huh?" President Clinton shook our hands and thanked us for our efforts to reduce violence in Texas. This recognition underscores the need for true to life role models for our young people. On the day following the Rodney King incident, Robert and I gave several programs in Silsbee, Texas. There were riots in LA, we had students lined up for our autographs in Silsbee.

POLICE ICE and THE LEGEND provided student assemblies to school districts all over Texas. Robert Martinez Sr. retired from police work and left a huge void in the Austin Police Department. I continued the Tour To Stop The Violence as it was continually  warmly accepted and highly sought after. To date, I have been an invited speaker at hundreds of Texas schools before thousands of students, parents and teachers.

In July 2003, I retired from the Austin Police Department after 24 years of honorable service to the public. My police career and the entire POLICE ICE effort has been a great way for me to honor my role models and say, "Thank you for making a difference in my life!"

Sadly, Robert Martinez Sr. passed away following a heroic battle with Cancer. He will always remain an inspiration as THE LEGEND. I was lucky enough to be with him toward the end of this fight. I told him I was sorry for being late most of the time. If Robert needed to be somewhere at 10am, he was there by 9:45am. I was rarely on time. Funny, the way we take most things for granted. I miss him a great deal.

Following retirement, I further challenged myself by taking Real Estate classes to obtain an opportunity to take the state Real Estate license exam. Right after I earned a real estate license, I wasted no time in holding myself to a higher standard by joining the National Association of REALTORS.

I am currently a licensed and inactive REALTOR. Shortly after starting my career as a REALTOR, I noticed there are several common areas between Police work and Real Estate brokerage. Just like the Austin Police Department holds officers accountable to an established Code of Ethics, the NAR holds all REALTORS accountable to a Code of Ethics. Both careers are based on trust and carry a duty to provide good customer service. 

I continue to challenge myself to gain as much knowledge as time allows. As I leave my Real Estate career behind, I am proud to enter a new facet of service to the people of Austin by starting a new career as an Inspector for the City of Austin.

Knowledge is power, the power to serve clients to the highest degree. 

It is a fact, HERO PRODUCTION IS MY FUNCTION!

...Now you know the rest of the story.