The memory of a fallen Selma police officer is becoming a campaign issue for the city’s mayor, and the battle spilled publicly at Monday’s city council meeting.

Gonzalo Carrasco Jr. died in the line of duty on Jan. 31, 2023. His father is endorsing incumbent Mayor Scott Robertson, evoking criticism from the Selma police union.

The Selma Police Officers’ Association is unhappy that Robertson, who is running for reelection, is using campaign literature featuring Gonzalo Carrasco Sr.

“Blatant exploitation of a tragic loss for political gain is both appalling and deeply disrespectful to the family, police department, and the grieving community of Selma,” SPOA president Christian Guizar said at Monday’s city council meeting.

“Mayor Scott Robertson has taken the immense pain and sorrow surrounding Officer Carrasco’s death and turned it into a spectacle, diminishing the sacrifice he made in the line of duty,” Guizar said.

Louis Franco, who is running against Robertson in November, spoke at the council meeting and called for his opponent to apologize.

Mayor Responds

Robertson took the unusual move of responding — not from the dais, but from the public commenter podium. He said he indeed has the support of the slain officer’s father.

On Sept. 30, Robertson and the rest of the council received an email signed digitally by Carrasco Sr. calling for the mayor to “stop using the memory of my son … to help you stay in office.”

The SPOA said the letter was sent by the family.

Robertson said he never sought the family’s endorsement, but repeated he does have the senior Carrasco’s backing. He spoke to “correct the lies” told about himself and Carrasco.

“Gonzalo Carrasco Senior personally called me this Friday, October 4th at 12:30 p.m. Referring to the email of September 30th, he stated he did not write it. He did not sign it and he did not send it. He said others attempted to get him to make statements critical of me, which he refused to be a part of,” Robertson said. “He said others told him I did bad things, but he said he told them he never did anything bad to me. We spoke man to man and continued our good relationship we’ve had for a year and a half.”

Robertson said SPOA was using the issue for political purposes.

“Shame on you for trying to belittle Mr. Carrasco,” Robertson said.