Trevino is Pearsall’s new police chief

By Breyana Segura - Chief Staff Writer | July 7, 2026

City names veteran officer to replace Flores

Rey Trevino

The city of Pearsall has named veteran lawman Rey Trevino as its new chief of police, bringing a 34-year law enforcement career full circle to his home town.

Trevino, a 1984 graduate of Pearsall High School who first joined the municipal department in 1992, steps into the role with a directive focused on professionalism, institutional accountability, and rebuilding fractured inter-agency relationships.

Signaling a collaborative shift in regional public safety operations, Frio County Sheriff Peter Salinas said he welcomes the appointment.

“I owe so much of who I am as a peace officer to Rey,” the sheriff said. “I am proud of him, grateful for him, and thankful our community will be led by someone of his character.”

Trevino’s law enforcement background spans over three decades of municipal, county, and specialized investigative roles in South Texas.

After completing his police training at Laredo Junior College in 1991, Trevino began his career as a patrol officer with the Pearsall Police Department in 1992 under then-Chief Emilio Cavasos.

In 1998, he transitioned to county law enforcement, serving briefly under Frio County Sheriff Carl Burris. However, Trevino resigned shortly after the sheriff became the subject of a criminal investigation.

Following a brief three-month tenure as a campus police officer at Uvalde Community College, Trevino was rehired by the Pearsall Police Department.

Trevino steadily rose through the municipal ranks to serve as captain under the late Chief Henry Martinez before departing during political shifts. He then re-entered county service under former sheriff Lionel Trevino.

He spent nearly a decade from 2017 to 2026 as the chief investigator for the Frio County Attorney’s Office under Joseph Sindon, gaining specialized insight into criminal prosecution and case intake standards.

As he assumes command of the department, Trevino said his administration will prioritize high standards of conduct and community accessibility.

“I do not take this appointment lightly; it will be a long road to success,” the police chief said, noting that he intends to establish an open-door policy for Pearsall residents.

Operationally, the new chief indicated his immediate focus will be on ensuring Pearsall officers remain strictly professional and accountable to the public.

Trevino also aims to leverage his recent investigative experience to foster seamless communication and stronger case-filing procedures with both the sheriff’s office and the district attorney’s office.

“I want to thank Frio County Attorney Joseph Sindon, Sally Gonzalez, and their staff for taking me under their wing for nearly ten years, during which time I learned about the prosecution side of law enforcement,” Trevino said.

Support for the new chief also comes from the district level, with District Attorney Audrey Louis pointing out the valuable perspective Trevino brings back to municipal law enforcement.

“I am excited for Rey and the city of Pearsall,” DA Louis said Tuesday morning. “His commitment to his community is seen through his decades of service. Rey is someone who is fair and respectful to everyone. His humble spirit and knowledge as a peace officer will be a true asset to the Pearsall PD and the community. I wish him great success as he continues to lead and serve Pearsall.”

Louis noted that Trevino’s experience in prosecution has allowed the police chief to see cases from all angles.

“We work with a lot of agencies, so we see what works and where there are opportunities to improve,” the district attorney said. “Rey brings that experience with him. He understands the challenges because he has seen them first hand, and I think he is in a great position to address them head-on. That perspective is going to be a real asset for the department and community.”

Trevino said he expects to repair and fortify the working relationship between city police and the sheriff’s office with a goal to maintain strict law and order across overlapping jurisdictions.

“I aim to work as a team to achieve one primary goal: law and order,” the newly appointed chief said.

Sheriff Salinas issued a strong endorsement of the city’s selection, indicating that the baseline of mutual trust between the two administrators will yield immediate benefits for local field operations.

“Our home town and every young officer who works under his leadership will be better off because he is now their chief of police,” the sheriff said. “Seeing him step into this role feels exactly right. Our strong connection has made it a very bad time for the criminals in Frio County.”

Trevino’s return to lead the department marks a transitional chapter for local law enforcement, shifting the focus toward a unified regional strategy. By combining Trevino’s extensive prosecutorial-side experience with a reinforced alliance with the sheriff’s office, local officials project a more streamlined approach to public safety.