Fresno Police Chief Paco Balderrama responded to Thursday’s announcement that he is under city investigation by quoting scripture.

Balderrama posted on social media (X and Facebook) Thursday night, hours after the city announced it is looking into allegations that the chief had “an inappropriate off-duty relationship he was involved in with a non-city employee.”

Related Story: Fresno Police Chief Under Investigation. Remains on Job.

Quoting Hebrews 13:5, Balderrama posted “Never will I leave you. Never will I forsake you.” His post also included “We will be okay…”

The chief left out a part of that verse. The full version reads, “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you,’ ” according to several Biblical websites.

In addition, the line before the Bible verse Balderrama posted reads, “Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.” (Hebrews 13:4).

The Facebook post received several positive responses, including one from Sgt. Diana Trueba Vega.

“You and your family are ALWAYS in my prayers,” she wrote.

The chief also posted messages highlighting police officers’ involvement in the community.

Balderrama will remain on the job during the investigation, the city said. A news release from Fresno City Council President Annalisa Perea on Thursday morning said the chief would attend the city’s Gay Pride flag-raising ceremony on Friday. He did not attend.

Balderrama did not respond to a message left by GV Wire.

City Attorney on Investigation

In other developments Friday, City Attorney Andrew Janz shed some light on the investigation.

“Investigations are ongoing, and I’ve advised the city council, including the mayor, to limit their conversations about this ongoing investigation,” Janz said on Friday.

Janz’s office will use an outside investigator to lead the inquiry. He did not identify which firm the city will hire, nor how much the investigation may cost.

While not setting a timetable, Janz said that “we’re doing (the investigation) as fast as we can.”

The Fresno City Council met in a closed session meeting Friday morning to discuss an unidentified pending litigation. The meeting was called on Thursday, hours before Dyer’s administration announced the investigation into Balderrama.

Martial Infidelity With Subordinate’s Wife?

While the city was vague in its description, KMJ radio host Ray Appleton said on his show Friday that the allegation involved Balderrama having an extramarital affair with a Fresno police officer’s wife.

Appleton’s callers were mixed on Balderrama’s alleged actions. Some questioned Balderrama’s integrity. Others said he should keep his job.

One legal expert GV Wire spoke with said that if the allegation is true, at the very least, Balderrama’s behavior would be a violation of the police department’s Code of Ethics.

“I will keep my private life unsullied as an example to all,” the code reads in part. The full code can be read here (page 2).

Balderrama started as police chief in January 2021. He previously served 22 years in Oklahoma City, where he was the department’s deputy chief. He is married with three children.