Eagle Pass City Council Confirms Rodolfo Cardona as Fire Chief

By Jose G. Landa, Copyright 2026 Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.

The Eagle Pass City Council welcomed and confirmed Rodolfo Cardona as the city’s new fire chief during its meeting Tuesday, October 6, 2026 formalizing an appointment announced by the City the previous week.

Cardona was selected after a hiring process that included interviews with five candidates. Before his appointment, he served as assistant fire chief and fire marshal, and coordinated emergency management activities for the city’s Emergency Operations Center.

The council’s confirmation was conducted under Chapter 143 of the Texas Local Government Code, which governs civil service protections for municipal fire and police departments.

Cardona succeeds Manuel “Sonny” Mello III, who retired Aug. 28 after 34 years with the City of Eagle Pass and its Fire Department.

Mello served as a firefighter, lieutenant and assistant chief before becoming fire chief in 2015. Cardona served as assistant chief under Mello before his retirement.

The Fire Department provides emergency response, fire prevention, emergency medical services and training to help protect lives and property in the community. With the council’s confirmation, Cardona will lead the department as it continues those responsibilities.