The Amarillo City Council has scheduled a special meeting to discuss the future of Police Chief Martin Birkenfeld, following public scrutiny over a letter he wrote in connection with the sentencing of former Perryton ISD Athletic Director and head football coach Cole Underwood.
According to the meeting agenda, the Council will convene on Friday, February 21, at 8 a.m. in the old City Hall – Council Chamber, 601 S. Buchanan Street, 3rd floor, to deliberate on matters regarding “the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of a public officer or employee.” While the agenda does not specify the nature of the discussion, it explicitly names Chief Birkenfeld as the subject.
The Controversy
The meeting comes after growing controversy over Birkenfeld’s involvement in the sentencing of Cole Underwood, who was convicted of enticement and attempted enticement of a minor. Underwood was sentenced to more than 30 years in federal prison, along with a lifetime of supervised release, after pleading guilty to charges stemming from sexual contact with a 15-year-old Perryton High School student.
Birkenfeld wrote a letter to the court regarding Underwood’s sentencing. In the letter, dated January 3, Birkenfeld acknowledged Underwood’s guilt but highlighted his history of community service, particularly his efforts in Perryton’s recovery from a deadly tornado in 2022.
“I was shocked to learn of [Underwood’s] offense and saddened when I learned that [Underwood] was guilty,” Birkenfeld wrote. He described Underwood as a respected educator and leader, noting his past contributions to the community. While recognizing the severity of Underwood’s crime, Birkenfeld pointed out that Federal Sentencing Guidelines are recommendations and not mandatory, urging Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk to consider “the totality of the circumstances” when determining the sentence.
The Amarillo Police Department (APD) responded to media inquiries, emphasizing that Birkenfeld wrote the letter as a private citizen and not in his official capacity as police chief.
“The letter was written by Martin Birkenfeld during his personal time and does not represent the Amarillo Police Department nor does he make any mention of his position within the PD,” the APD said in a statement.
Despite this clarification, the letter has raised concerns regarding Birkenfeld’s judgment and impartiality as a law enforcement leader, sparking debate within the community and prompting the City Council’s executive session.
Community and Victim Response
The case against Underwood has drawn significant attention due to the disturbing nature of his crimes. According to court records, Perryton ISD officials and law enforcement uncovered evidence, including security footage, showing that Underwood groomed the victim over several months and sexually assaulted her multiple times in his office.
During sentencing, the victim shared a powerful statement detailing her experience.
“I had no idea that he was slowly in the process of grooming me, I genuinely thought that he actually cared about me,” the victim said, according to a statement provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office Northern District of Texas Amarillo Division.
“I didn’t know how to stop it… He convinced me to shut everyone out. I felt like I seriously had no one but him.”
She also expressed hope that other victims in similar situations would feel empowered to speak out.
“I hope if there is a girl out there who is going through what I have been through, she has the chance to hear my story to know it’s okay to speak up. There are people who want to help,” she said.
What’s Next?
As of now, it is unclear whether the City Council will take disciplinary action against Birkenfeld. However, the decision to schedule an executive session indicates that city leaders view the matter as serious.
The City of Amarillo City Secretary’s office posted the agenda for Friday’s meeting, but officials have not confirmed whether any decisions or discussions will be made public.
Chief Martin Birkenfeld has served with the Amarillo Police Department since 1990 and was appointed as the city’s 13th Chief of Police. His tenure and decades of service will likely be considered in the Council’s deliberations.
