A Wilson County firefighter/EMT is facing criminal charges after a late‑night incident in Fredericksburg last fall.  In a written statement by Andrew Martin Mendez to regulators, he recounted that around 11:00 P.M on November 8, 2025, he and his brother were outside a local establishment waiting for an Uber when police approached them and said there were two men fighting.  The firefighter said they explained they were not fighting, but a female officer detained his brother for public intoxication and disorderly conduct.  Mendez stated another officer that he “had not yet visualized” approached and detained him for the same thing. When that happened he recalled that he became unaware of his surroundings and began to have a panic attack.  He stated that he lost consciousness and was taken to a hospital before being transported to Gillespie County Jail.  After processing, a magistrate told him he faced four charges. Records show he was charged with Class C misdemeanors for disorderly conduct and public intoxication, a Class A misdemeanor for resisting arrest or transport, and a third‑degree felony for assaulting a public servant. On April 7, 2026, Mendez was indicted for allegedly assaulting a public servant. 

Fire Department Placed Him on Unpaid Leave for Arrest, Then Issued Final Warning

Mendez joined Wilson County District 1 Fire & Rescue on February 5, 2024, as a full-time firefighter. Two days after his arrest, the department placed him on unpaid administrative leave pending an internal review. In a November 10, 2025 letter, Assistant Chief Bobby Blankenship told Mendez the district was gathering relevant information and working with him and human resources to ensure what the department described as a fair and thorough review. The letter also stated that his leave status could change depending on the outcome of the investigation, including the possibility that it could be converted to paid administrative leave.

The department’s response did not end in termination. Instead, a November 24, 2025, letter from Fire Chief Chris Thompson described the matter as a “discipline for arrest” and stated that Mendez had served 96 hours of unpaid time off as part of the disciplinary action. The same letter said Mendez was on a voluntary leave of absence until January 9, 2026, to attend a veteran’s PTSD program. It also placed him on what the department called a “last and final warning,” stating that any future arrest, violent or aggressive behavior, or alcohol-related issue could result in immediate termination.

Fire Department Records Show No Post Indictment Action

The records released by Wilson County District 1 Fire & Rescue late last month do not show any additional action after Mendez was indicted. By then, the felony case had already been filed in Gillespie County district court, but the agency’s records only reflect discipline tied to the original arrest. Nothing in the records provided by the department shows he was suspended again, terminated, or otherwise removed from duty after the indictment.

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