State Rep. Eddie Rodriguez, D-Austin, excoriated Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick Monday after he linked "sanctuary city" policies with the deaths of 10 people in a trailer in San Antonio.

"I hope that Lt. Gov. Patrick puts people first in his future public statements," Rogriguez said in a statement. "Because when 10 people from any background perish under such horrific circumstances, it is an occasion deserving of solemnity and respect, not self-indulgent cheerleading."

Patrick, the Republican leader of the Texas Senate, said in a Facebook post Sunday: "Today’s tragedy is why I made passing Senate Bill 4 to ban sanctuary cities — which is now law — a top priority. Sanctuary cities entice people to believe they can come to America and Texas and live outside the law. Sanctuary cities also enable human smugglers and cartels. Today, these people paid a terrible price and demonstrate why we need a secure border and legal immigration reform so we can control who enters our country. We continue to pray for the families and friends of the victims."

Rodriguez said, "Patrick took his response too far. Ten individuals lost their lives this weekend and that deserves our attention, not that the lieutenant governor of Texas successfully passed Senate Bill 4."

Patrick’s statement struck a different tone than reaction from his political ally, Gov. Greg Abbott, who promised to protect victims of human trafficking and vowed to "bring down the full weight of the law for the perpetrators of this despicable crime."