Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar announced on Wednesday that he would be declining a pay raise proposed by elected officials because he wants to ensure that funding is available for overtime pay for his deputies.

According to KHOU-TV, Salazar said in a statement, "I am declining the proposed pay raise for elected officials. As was discussed at length in Commissioners’ Court yesterday, we were able to get overtime funds approved to make sure that my deputies are fairly compensated for overtime work."

The statement continued, "We are about to go in to contract negotiations with the Deputy Sheriff’s Association of Bexar County and my number one priority is to get higher compensation for my deputies. This will allow us to retain deputies already on staff, while attracting the best qualified applicants without compromising our high standards for employment."

The statement concluded, "As the person who was entrusted with this office by the people of Bexar County, I cannot in good conscience accept a pay raise at a time where my deputies are concerned as to whether their hard work will be compensated. Leaders eat last."