Slur discovered weeks later

Larry Martin took his truck to Rusty Eck Ford for an oil change two months ago. Last week, the dealership called to say an employee had written a racial slur on a sticker inside his vehicle.

“I looked at it. I looked at it, and said, 'This can't be real.'”

Multiple customers targeted

The dealership told Martin that the same employee had written derogatory statements on stickers in several other customers' vehicles, not just his.

Martin felt humiliated

Martin said discovering the slur felt humiliating and embarrassing. He didn't expect to experience this kind of treatment in 2026.

“It felt humiliating.”

Employee fired immediately

Rusty Eck Ford fired the employee responsible after conducting an internal investigation. The dealership said it does not tolerate racial, hateful, or discriminatory conduct.

“Rusty Eck Ford does not tolerate racial, hateful, discriminatory, or otherwise inappropriate conduct in the workplace.”

Dealership meets with family

Rusty Eck Ford met with the Martin family to address their concerns while the situation remains under investigation. The dealership committed to maintaining a respectful workplace.

Martin hopes it stops

Kelsey Martin, Larry's daughter, said she wants the company to follow through on its promises. Larry Martin hopes this doesn't happen to anyone else.

“I'm just hoping it doesn't happen to anyone else.”