A political ad using the image of the father of a Selma police officer killed in the line of duty last year set off a controversy this week in the city about 20 minutes south of Fresno.
The Selma Police Officers Association union said Mayor Scott Robertson has disrespectfully used a photo of Gonzalo Carrasco Sr., the father of officer Gonzalo Carrasco Jr., in campaign yard signs, and at least one billboard seen from Highway 99 in town.
“Proudly endorsed by Gonzalo Carrasco Sr. father of fallen Selma PD officer Gonzalo Carrasco who gave his life protecting our city,” the signage says.
The elder Carrasco sent a letter dated on Monday to City Hall and Robertson.
“When we spoke, I did not know that you were recording my emotional response for future political use,” Carrasco’s letter says. “I did not know that you planned to use the photo we took in front of my son’s memorial for your political campaign.”
Robertson, who acknowledged getting the letter, said he asked and got the father’s permission for the ad that references Carrasco Jr., who was gunned down Jan. 31, 2023, while responding to a call for service.
The father visited Robertson’s office Sept. 23, Robertson said. He shared a screengrab from his phone with The Bee that he says shows Carrasco’s “thumbs up” emoji and confirmed he agreed to the ads.
Robertson said Wednesday he has attempted multiple times to contact the elder Carrasco since he heard of the potential controversy this week, but has not been able to reach him. He said he wanted to hear directly from the elder Carrasco before he took down any signs.
Robertson said he was not attempting to capitalize on the family’s grief, but rather show his respect and honor to the elder Carrasco.
“The Selma Police Officers Association, which has previously endorsed my opponent in the Selma Mayor race, is obviously attempting to make a political issue out of this concern raised,” he said in a written statement. “I am willing to meet in person with any members of the Carrasco family to discuss their concerns at any time.”
The union has endorsed Louis Franco for the mayor’s race.
Robertson said he has since taken down a video from social media that included the elder Carrasco, and he has begun the process to remove the signs in question.
Selma POA President Christian Guizar said the Carrasco family has intended to stay out of the public eye and politics — though Carrasco’s sister will address the mayor and City Council about the ads at its next meeting on Tuesday, Guizar said.
He said the father speaks little to no English and is not politically savvy.
The union resents the use of Carrasco Jr. in advertising, he said.
“We feel like this is a blatant disrespect of his memory,” Guizar said. “The family ultimately wants privacy, but (Robertson) stepped all over that.”
On the job for about two years, the younger Carrasco was a father-to-be when he was shot multiple times as he approached a man — whom police have said was 23-year-old Nathaniel Dixon, a felon on probation.
Dixon’s trial is ongoing.
