Firebaugh Police Department

10/10/2025

Mark those calendars and sharpie this event on your route plan for Halloween. We're doing it, again. Stroll on by and join the Volunteer Firefighters Association of Firebaugh, Firebaugh Police Department, and the City of Firebaugh Public Works as we give back to the community. Check out the posted flyer below for more information.

10/07/2025

🚨 Suspect in Custody 🚨

This morning at approximately 9:20 a.m., Firebaugh PD’s CIWS Team, with the assistance of Fresno County Parole, Fresno County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Marshals, and Fresno PD, served a felony No Bail Ramey Warrant in the 600 block of P Street in Firebaugh.

The suspect barricaded himself in the attic of a residence, and after a nearly three-hour standoff, officers safely removed him and took him into custody. He was medically cleared and booked into the Fresno County Jail.

We extend our sincere thanks to Firebaugh Fire Department, American Ambulance, and all assisting agencies for their support in bringing this incident to a safe conclusion.

10/07/2025

We will be hosting a candlelight vigil here for our Officer Raymond Barrantes at the Chowchilla Police Department, this Thursday at 8pm.

We also have a memorial set up inside the departments public entrance. If you would like to leave a message in one of the message books inside for his family or leave flowers or whatever you feel compelled to do, this area is set up for that.

10/05/2025

Today we stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters at the Chowchilla Police Department as they mourn the tragic loss of one of their own. Our hearts are with the officer’s family, the department, and the entire Chowchilla community during this difficult time.

Rest high, brother. 💙🖤

09/27/2025

✨ Firebaugh, it’s almost time for National Night Out! ✨

Join us for an evening dedicated to bringing neighbors, families, and local organizations together to celebrate community and safety. This is a free, family-friendly event where you’ll be able to:
✅ Meet your Firebaugh Police Department officers
✅ Connect with local agencies and resources
✅ Enjoy games, music, and activities for all ages
✅ Take part in raffles and win fun prizes
✅ Experienced Astronomers from Central Valley Astronomers

📅 Date: Thursday, October 9, 2025
📍 Location: Sixto Maldonado Park - 1920 Clyde Fannon Rd. (Clyde Fannon Rd. & Thomas Conboy)
⏰ Time: 6pm to 9pm

Come out, say hello, and spend time with your community. Together, we make Firebaugh a safer and stronger place to call home. 💙

09/14/2025

💙 National Police Woman Day 💙

Today we honor the outstanding women in law enforcement, and we’re especially proud to recognize Sergeant Magda Martinez of the Firebaugh Police Department.

Sergeant Martinez’s dedication, leadership, and compassion embody the best of our profession. She continues to serve our community with integrity and strength, inspiring her peers and the next generation of officers.

Join us in thanking Sergeant Martinez and all police women for their service, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to keeping our community safe. 👮‍♀️

09/07/2025

Fly high, Jose ✝️🕊️

On Monday, September 7th, 2020, Deputy Sheriff Jose Mora passed away from complications related to the COVID-19 virus. Jose contracted the virus while he and another deputy were transporting a homicide suspect from Oklahoma back to Fresno. He was performing his job when this occurred. Jose fought a courageous battle against this deadly virus.

Jose was a 16-year veteran of the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office. Before joining the Sheriff’s Office in 2004, Jose served as a police officer for the City of Firebaugh for four years. Jose came to the Sheriff’s Office and immediately became friends with most of us who worked with him. Once you met Jose, you realized he would give you the shirt off his back and was quick to lend anybody a helping hand.

Jose was one of the guys who was always there and willing to help his partners and the community he served. He was a hard worker and diligent at the cases he was assigned. Jose worked a variety of assignments, including Court Services, Patrol, and Investigations. When it came to the homicide investigations, Jose was always there to help other detectives in the unit. This was replicated in his career at the Sheriff’s Office. Many of us have amazing stories to share about Jose.

Jose is survived by his wife Carol, three adult children, and one stepson. He had a passion for serving people and especially loved the people he worked with. Jose is dearly missed by his family and friends. Today, we honor Jose and his family. Rest in peace, my friend.

09/04/2025

Wildfire smoke can be see through the Valley. 🌲🔥🚒👨🏻‍🚒

09/03/2025

THE WESTSIDE EXPRESS:

Photo contributed Firebaugh Police Chief Sal Raygoza (right) with current Interim Los Banos City Manager and former Los Banos Police Chief Gary Brizzee at a 2018 law enforcement function.

Firebaugh Police Chief Sal Raygoza has announced his retirement.

The 31-year law enforcement veteran notified the city earlier this month that Tuesday will be his official retirement date.

“I am looking forward to some time off. It’s a 24-hour job,” Raygoza said. “Thirty years. It’s time. I need to focus on family and health.”

Raygoza, 54, began his career in 1994 as a Firebaugh police dispatcher while attending the reserve officer modules at Fresno City College. Through the years, he served the department in multiple roles including reserve officer, police officer and sergeant.

Raygoza became police chief in 2015.

“Serving the city of Firebaugh has been the greatest honor of my life,” he said. “From my first day as a dispatcher to my final years as chief, my goal has always been the same: Protect our community, build trust, and leave the department stronger than I found it. I am proud of what we’ve accomplished together.”

As a patrol officer, Raygoza focused on keeping Firebaugh safe from crime, building strong community relationships, and making it a priority to step out of his patrol car to listen and talk with residents. He never forgot those experiences as he moved up in the ranks.

Raygoza has been deeply involved in trying to help mold the youth of Firebaugh by participating in the department’s activities league during his free time.

“I truly believe the Firebaugh Police Activities League has played a significant role in keeping our kids safe and connected to the community. It’s a great feeling when young people know our officers by their first names and see them as mentors and role models,” Raygoza said.

Despite his 31 years in the profession, Raygoza’ retirement came as a surprise to some.

“It was a little bit of a shocker. It’s been a lot of years in police service,” Firebaugh City Manager Ben Gallegos said. “We thank him for his time and dedication to the community.”

Gallegos said the city council will start the process of finding its next police chief soon. It is expected to take months, but an exact timeline has not been finalized.

Sgt. Magda Martinez will be the interim police chief beginning next week, according to Gallegos.

Raygoza has thanked his Department personnel and the Firebaugh City Council for supporting him during his decade as police chief.

Raygoza is not ruling out doing part-time police consulting work in the future. However, the soon-to-be former chief is primarily planning to concentrate on family and fun.

“I will be focusing on spending time with kids, grandchildren and working on some of my projects, cars I acquired over the years,” he said.

08/28/2025

The Firebaugh Police Department will conduct a sobriety, and driver’s license checkpoint on Saturday, August 30, 2025. It will begin at 7:00 p.m. and run for 5-7 hours.