Remembering Code Enforcement Officer Danny Saenz


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We extend our most heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Danny Saenz.

Danny passed away suddenly on Saturday, August 27. He was 55.

Danny served our community as a code enforcement officer for the city of Weslaco for the past 18 years. Prior to joining the city of Weslaco, he worked for the Mercedes Police Department as a dispatcher.

Danny’s pride and joy was his family, including his wife Martha Saenz and their two children Ashley and DJ Saenz, of Mercedes as well as his son in law Mark Lozano. Danny was thrilled to become a grandfather last year. He would often share photos and videos of his grand baby Sophia Lozano with his coworkers.

Danny worked closely with his colleagues in the code enforcement department, including with fellow code enforcement officer Bo Soria.

“He knew everything about the city. He was like a father figure here at work,” Bo said. “If you needed advice, he was there. He was always there when you needed him most.”

Bo recalled his first few weeks on the job as a code enforcement officer, having trained under Danny.

“It was an eye-opening experience,” Bo said. “He is the reason I know the streets in Weslaco. He showed me what it is like to serve my community.”

During his free time, Danny loved barbecuing, and would often share what he grilled, from wings to tomahawk steaks, with his coworkers in the planning and code enforcement department.

His coworkers admired his generous spirit. He’d never show up to work with a single taco, but extras to share with his coworkers who became his friends. 

Danny was a storyteller, often recollecting memories of current and former colleagues. Importantly, he prided himself on following city code and took an interest in the health and safety of the community.

Along with his love for the people around him, Danny enjoyed Dallas Cowboys football.

“When they would win, he’d come into work and say, “How ‘bout them Cowboys,”” said Planning and Code Enforcement Director Rebekah De La Fuente. “When they didn’t win, he’d tell us, “How about YOUR Cowboys?””

His colleagues and friends at work appreciated his sense of humor as a die-hard Dallas fan.

During his free time, he also enjoyed fishing and listening to country music. He often had his city-issued code enforcement unit set to K-TEX as he responded to calls about weedy lots and illegal dumping. 

He performed his job as a code enforcement officer with a great sense of respect and pride in being able to serve the citizens of Weslaco.

“We could always count on Danny,”  Rebekah said. “He’s already missed.”

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Funeral arrangements are as follows: 
Public viewing and Holy Rosary on Tuesday, August 30 at 6 p.m. 
Location: Guerra Funeral Home in Weslaco
Holy Mass on Wednesday, August 31 at 1:30 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Mercedes with burial to follow at Palm Valley Memorial Gardens in Pharr.