Dublin man behind viral ‘ice video’ is U.S. citizen with a PhD.

By SARA VANDEN BERGE

The Hispanic man behind the now viral video showing a Dublin police officer asking him if he wanted “some ice” is not only a legal U.S. citizen, but a business professional with a PhD.

The 39-year-old man spoke to Beneath the Surface News about Saturday’s incident, but asked that his name not be released citing his children’s safety.

For purposes of this story, he will be referred to as “E.”

“My parents immigrated here from Mexico in pursuit of the American dream,” E said.

"They came to this country to work hard, contribute and create opportunities for their children.

“I was born in Colorado and was six months old when my family moved to Dublin. My father dedicated his career to the dairy industry until his retirement and my mother worked as a custodian until her retirement."

E graduated from Dublin High School in 2005 then earned a bachelor’s degree in animal science with a minor in biology from Tarleton State University.

From there, he studied at Colorado State University where he earned a master’s degree and PhD in animal science with an emphasis in ruminant nutrition, specializing in trace mineral supplementation for cattle.

His work has been published twice in professional animal science journals.

Today, he is a single dad with two kids and works as a dairy nutritionist.

He said Saturday’s interaction with the Dublin Police Department has left him shaken and hurt for his community.

“I have spent my whole life here,” he said. “I was on the volunteer fire department off and on for 13 years while I completed my studies.

“I have always considered (chief) Cameron Ray and the police department as friends, but when I see something like this happen, it’s horrific.”

(Click here to read the original report.)

MORE FROM DUBLIN POLICE CHIEF CAMERON RAY

On Monday, Beneath the Surface News spoke with Chief Ray by phone about the incident.

He said the confrontation involving E and one of his officers took place around 7 p.m. Saturday inside Big’s Convenience Store in Dublin.

“The confrontation began in the parking lot,” Chief Ray said.

“The officers stopped at Big’s to get a beverage and as they walked into the store, (E) followed them inside.”

Ray said that his department did work with ICE on Saturday to make several arrests, but the officers involved in the video were not part of that enforcement operation.

“(E) was not being looked at to be taken into custody and the officers were never at his home,” Ray said.

The officer that was recorded asking E if he could get him “some ice” has only been a member of the department for six weeks.

Online reports state the officer was fired from a previous position for racist behavior and sexual harassment.

“I can’t speak about those details, but about six years ago (the officer) was employed with another government agency and I am aware about the allegations, but I was never able to confirm them,” Ray said.

“We are reviewing everything that has taken place and the officer will face disciplinary action.

“The comment should have never been made and we are sorry that it was, but it will be handled. We will learn from this and we will move on.”

Chief Ray said he wants to calm the community’s fears that the police department is targeting Hispanics.

“We are not hunting down people because they are undocumented,” he said.

“I want the community to know that we are in this together.

“I do not support all of the immigration enforcements that have taken place and the only ones we are going to go after are those who have committed serious felony offenses.”