Officer J. Guadalupe Martinez

Officer Jose Guadalupe Martinez
San Antonio Police Department, TX
Born: October, 26, 1946
Cause of Death: Gunfire
End of Watch: Friday, September 4, 1970
Date of Incident: Friday, September 4, 1970
Age: 23
Badge Number: 393
Tour of Duty: 1 year
Suspect Info: Jose Alfaro – shot and killed
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Buried: Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery
Location of Name on National and Texas Monuments
NLEOMF: P10 - E3
TPOM: 24, C, 05

On September 4, 1970 about 8 pm, Officer Martinez was dispatched to Chupaderas and Santiago Street for a man breaking bottles in the middle of the street. Upon arrival, Officer Martinez was talking to the man when his attention turned to Jose Alfaro's yard, 1201 Santiago. Officer Martinez observed Mr. Garcia arguing with Alfaro, who had a pistol in hand. Officer Martinez began to walk toward the house as Officer James Servantez, Officer Martinez's cover officer, drove up. Officer Servantez said Alfaro was attempting to get Mr. Garcia into the house. Mr. Garcia was there visiting his mother, who happened to be live with Alfaro. Mr. Garcia was then shot by Alfaro in the left shoulder. Both officers ordered Alfaro to drop the weapon. Alfaro leveled the gun at Officer Servantez and said "Do you want me to get you too?" Both officers pulled their service revolvers and fired but missed Alfaro. As Officer Martinez turned around to seek cover, Alfaro fired, striking Officer Martinez in the back of his head. Officer Servantez emptied his revolver at Alfaro. Alfaro managed to fire three more rounds but missed Officer Servantez. Alfaro was fatally wounded and died at the scene. Officer Martinez also died at the scene.

Sgt. Jack Jurney who was Officer Martinez's supervisor described him as the "kind of officer you would want to recruit - clean cut and intelligent. He was not a smart aleck and always acted in a gentleman manner" ----source San Antonio Express News


Served as a Cpl. in the U.S. Marine Corps. and was a Verteran of the Vietnam War.