Member of Texas Commission on Law Enforcement resigns after drunken driving arrest

MCALLEN, TEXAS ( ValleyCentral ) — A member of the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement resigned Monday after being charged with driving while intoxicated.

Mario Lizcano Jr., 55, of Pharr submitted a resignation letter to Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday.

“At this time, I must step down to focus on my health and well-being,” Lizcano wrote. “I am grateful for the opportunity and will always be at your service.”

Abbott accepted Lizcano’s resignation on Tuesday.

“On behalf of the citizens of Texas, thank you for your service to the State of Texas,” Abbott wrote. “I wish you all the best in your future endeavors.”

Lizcano, an administrator at DHR Health, volunteered for several Rio Grande Valley fire departments, according to information published by the Commission on Law Enforcement. He also served on a slew of local boards, including the Greater Pharr Chamber of Commerce board, the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce board and the Pharr Housing Authority board.

In 2022, the governor appointed Lizcano to the Commission on Law Enforcement, which sets standards for all police officers, jailers and dispatchers in Texas.

“I’m truly and humbly honored to have been appointed by Governor Abbott to this amazing board,” Lizcano said, according to a March 2022 news release from the city of Pharr. “I’m supportive of all public servants and I will do my very best to provide support and be a voice for a law enforcement community.”

Lizcano was scheduled to serve until August 2027.

Minutes after 2 a.m. on Saturday, however, the Edinburg Police Department found Lizcano passed out behind the wheel of a truck on the 2600 block of South Business Highway 281.

“Officers noticed that the vehicle was still in drive and began attempting to wake the male,” according to information released by the city. “The male eventually woke up, and officers instructed him to put the vehicle in park.”

How long Lizcano spent passed out behind the wheel is unclear. Edinburg declined to release body camera video from the incident, which remains under investigation.

“Upon making contact with the male, he identified himself as Mario Lizcano and stated that he was a Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Commissioner,” according to information released by the city.

Lizcano was charged with driving while intoxicated, a Class B misdemeanor.

If convicted on the misdemeanor charge, Lizcano faces a maximum of 180 days in jail and a $2,000 fine.

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