Two Bexar County Deputies Lose Jobs After Nighttime Traffic Arrests

Key points

• Damien Trevino, a four-year veteran of the Bexar County Sheriff's Office, was arrested for a misdemeanor DUI and released after posting a $1,200 bond.
• Damian Villegas, who had served for one year, was arrested for reckless driving near Northwest Loop 410 and Culebra Road around 2 a.m. and released after posting an $800 bond.
• Both deputies chose to resign in lieu of termination, and the Sheriff's Office confirmed their Texas Commission on Law Enforcement licenses were discharged under dishonorable conditions.
• Sheriff Javier Salazar stated that employees who drink and drive or endanger the public should not be surprised by immediate unemployment.
• San Antonio police are conducting the criminal investigation into both incidents.

Background

This incident follows a period of heightened scrutiny on local law enforcement in the San Antonio area, including recent high-profile cases such as the homicide of a teen previously on an AMBER Alert and political debates over redistricting in the new 35th Congressional District. While unrelated to the current arrests, these events highlight the ongoing public focus on safety and accountability in Bexar County.

How outlets are covering it

KSAT and KTSA provided straightforward factual reporting on the arrests and the immediate administrative consequences, focusing on the deputies' tenure and the specific charges. WOAI added a community perspective, featuring reactions from local residents who expressed concern about public trust and the need for higher standards of conduct for officers, even when off-duty. All sources agree on the core facts, but WOAI emphasized the emotional and civic impact on the community, whereas the others focused on the procedural and disciplinary outcomes.

Why it matters

The immediate dismissal of two deputies for off-duty misconduct underscores the Bexar County Sheriff's Office's zero-tolerance policy regarding public safety violations. It serves as a stark reminder that law enforcement officers are held to strict standards regardless of their duty status, and it may influence public confidence in local policing during a time of increased community scrutiny.

What to watch

San Antonio police will continue their criminal investigation into the two traffic incidents. The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement will process the dishonorable discharge of the deputies' licenses, effectively barring them from future law enforcement roles in the state. The Bexar County Sheriff's Office may issue further statements regarding internal reviews or additional disciplinary measures, though none were specified in the initial reports.