Detective James E. Anderson

Detective James E. Anderson
San Antonio Police Department, TX
Born: September 15, 1935
Cause of Death: Gunfire
End of Watch: Tuesday, July 01, 1975
Date of Incident: Tuesday, July 01, 1975
Age: 39
Badge Number: 184
Tour of Duty: 18 yr
Suspect Info: committed suicide
Weapon Used: Rifle .243 caliber
Buried: Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery
Location of Name on National and Texas Monuments
NLEOMF: P15 - E9
TPOM: 22, C, 19

Detective James Anderson was shot and killed when he responded to an officer down call. The officer who had just been wounded; had responded to the scene of a domestic disturbance. An intoxicated man had just shot at two of his sons, wounding one of them, and then wounded the responding officer.

While responding to the scene on Pike Road, Detective Anderson was fired upon from inside the house, by the suspect who was armed with a .243 caliber rifle with a scope. The second shot struck him in the head as he was looking for cover. He was and pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital. The suspect committed suicide later in the day. Detective Anderson was buried at the Ft. Sam Houston cemetery.

Detective Anderson was survived by his wife, son, daughter, parents, three brothers and two sisters. ----source San Antonio Express News

Detective Anderson had served with the San Antonio Police Department for 18 years.
Detective Anderson served U.S. Army SP4

James was my uncle. His death was a devastating loss to our family that I will never forget and created such a drive inside of me to pursue a career in law enforcement.
I think of him often and wonder how successful he could have been had he been given the chance.
I'd like to thank San Antonio PD for everything they did for our family after his loss.
Sergeant Lori (Anderson) DeSchryver
Retired LAPD/Niece---------from ODMP Reflections

Served as a SP4 in the U.S. Army and was a Verteran of the Korean War.

Officer Harry J. Brackman

Officer Harry James Brackman
San Antonio Police Department, TX
Born: March 28, 1946
Cause of Death: Motorcycle accident
End of Watch: Thursday, June 27, 1974
Date of Incident: Thursday, June 27, 1974
Age: 28
Badge Number: 142
Tour of Duty: 7 years
Suspect Info: N/A
Weapon Used: N/A
Buried: Holy Cross Cemetery
Location of Name on National and Texas Monuments
NLEOMF: P30 - W16
TPOM: 13, C, 14

At 12:45 pm, Officer Brackman was responding to assist an off-duty officer being shot at by an unknown assailant; as the off-duty officer and his pregnant wife were driving west on IH 10 by Wonderland Shopping City / now Crossroads Mall. Officer Brackman was traveling on Loop 410 when witnesses stated his motorcycle malfunctioned and he lost control of the motorcycle, causing him to be thrown 100 feet and sustained fatal head injuries.
The off-duty officer and his wife were not injured as the off-duty officer returned fire, striking the assailant, who was arrested by police.

Patrolman Brackman had served with the agency for seven years. He was survived by wife, 1 daughter, 1 son, parents and his Grandmother. ----source San Antonio Express News and San Antonio Light

Officer Russell D. Spannagel

Officer Russell DeWayne Spannagel
San Antonio Police Department, TX
Born: August 27, 1948
Cause of Death: Gunfire
End of Watch: Saturday, June 30, 1973
Date of Incident: Saturday, June 30, 1973
Age: 24
Badge Number: 0811
Tour of Duty: 4 years
Suspect Info: Convicted of Manslaughter and released from prison
Weapon Used: Officer's service weapon .357 caliber revolver
Buried: Mission Park South
Location of Name on National and Texas Monuments
NLEOMF: P36 - W1
TPOM: 28, C, 16

Officer Spannagel responded to a call concerning a knifing at an ice house at the corner of Pleasanton and Hutchins around 9 pm. Upon arriving, Officer Spannagel learned that one of suspects had fled. Officer Spannagel proceeded to the suspect's home in the 500 block of Tidewinds. Officer Spannagel made contact with the suspect who got into a fight with the Officer Spannagel. The suspect was successful in wrestling Officer Spannagel's service weapon away, a .357 caliber service revolver. The suspect shot Officer Spannagel in the chest at point blank range. Before collapsing, Officer Spannagel made it to his patrol unit and reported over the radio "I've been shot!" Officer Spannagel succumbed to his wounds. The suspect was arrested at the scene with the gun still in his hand by responding officers. The man was convicted only of manslaughter and released from prison after serving only a few years.

Officer Spannagel was survived by his wife, his son, his daughter, parents, his two brothers who were Reverends and officiated at his burial, his two sisters, and grandparents. Officer Spannagel joined SAPD March 12, 1969. ----source San Antonio Express News

Reserve Deputy Joshua B. Rodriguez

Reserve Deputy Sheriff Joshua B. Rodriguez Jr.
Bexar County Sheriff's Department, TX
Born: August 16, 1944
Cause of Death: Gunfire
End of Watch: Friday, February 02, 1973
Date of Incident: Friday, February 02, 1973
Age: 28
Badge Number: Not Available
Tour of Duty: 2 yr
Suspect Info: Both suspects given a life sentence; one was paroled after 25 years.
Weapon Used: .38-caliber handgun
Buried: Unknown
Location of Name on National and Texas Monuments
NLEOMF: P50 - W5
TPOM: 21, C, 04

Reserve Deputy Joshua Rodriguez and Deputy Vincent "Jerry" Walker were on patrol when they stopped a green van, 1/4 mile south of Huebner Road, on Bandera Road. The deputies requested a license check. Less than ten minutes later, an unidentified person alerted dispatch that the two deputies had been shot. Deputy Rodriguez was found lying by the passenger's door of the patrol vehicle. He had been shot in the head and died at the scene. City police officers stopped a vehicle matching the description and license plate as the one the deputies stopped. Officers found a .38-caliber bullet in a diaper bag in the van. Both deputies were pronounced dead at the scene. Randall Louis Neyman, 20, and Roger Hester, 27, were convicted of capital murder and received life in prison. Hester was paroled after serving only 25 years.

Deputy Rodriguez, 28, was a volunteer deputy on the 4 p.m. to 12 midnight shift and rode with patrol deputies every other Thursday. Joshua Rodriguez was the first Bexar County Reserve Sheriffs Deputy to be killed in the line of duty and had been with the Sheriffs Reserves for two years. He was employed as a supply officer at East Kelly AFB and wanted to become a full time law enforcement officer. Deputy Rodriguez was a 1963 graduate of Harlandale High School in San Antonio. Survivors included his wife, Mrs. Bertha Rodriguez; sons, Jousha B. Rodriguez III and John A. Rodriguez; father Jousha Rodriguez, Sr.; sisters, Mrs. Joe Rodriguez, Mrs. J. Gonzales, Mrs. J. Menchaca, Juliet and Jennifer Rodriguez; and brothers, Johnny J, Joel Robert and Jason Rodriguez. Interment was at Mission Burial Park South. ----source San Antonio Express News and San Antonio light

Reserve Deputy Rodriguez was also a Free Mason.

Deputy Vincent L. Walker

Deputy Sheriff Vincent "Jerry" L. Walker
Bexar County Sheriff's Department, TX
Born: January 10, 1949
Cause of Death: Gunfire
End of Watch: Friday, February 02, 1973
Date of Incident: Friday, February 02, 1973
Age: 24
Badge Number: Not available
Tour of Duty: 5 yr
Suspect Info: Both suspects given a life sentence; one paroled after 25 years.
Weapon Used: .38-caliber handgun
Buried: Sunset Memorial Park
Location of Name on National and Texas Monuments
NLEOMF: P7 - E3
TPOM: 23, C, 19

Deputy Vincent "Jerry" Walker and Reserve Deputy Joshua Rodriguez were on patrol when they stopped a green van, 1/4 mile south of Huebner Road, on Bandera Road. The deputies requested a license check. Less than ten minutes later, an unidentified person alerted dispatch that the two deputies had been shot. Deputy Walker was lying on the roadway, shot in the head and died at the scene. City police officers stopped a vehicle matching the description and license plate as the one the deputies stopped. Officers found a .38-caliber bullet in a diaper bag in the van. Both deputies were pronounced dead at the scene. Randall Louis Neyman, 20, and Roger Hester, 27, were convicted of capital murder and received life in prison. Hester was paroled after serving only 25 years.

Deputy Walker joined the Sheriffs Office in 1968 as a dispatcher and then transferred to patrol. Deputy Walker had traded his daylight shift with another deputy in order to work night shifts. He was a graduate of Peacock Military Academy and played football. Deputy Walker was divorced and survived by his 2-year-old son; father, Dr. Vincent Walker; and mother, Mrs. Donald Beard. Interment was at Sunset Memorial Park. ---- source San Antonio Express News and San Antonio Light.



Deputy Walker's father Dr. Walker had served as a Texas Ranger and Bexar County Sheriff's Deputy Investigator.



Deputy Walker's son also passed in 1999 and is buried with his Grandmother and next to his his Grandfather Dr. Walker.



Dr. Walker who is buried next Deputy Walker.

Officer George E. Jacobs

Officer George Ellis Jacobs
San Antonio Police Department, TX
Born: April 2, 1940
Cause of Death: Gunfire
End of Watch: Sunday, January 14, 1973
Date of Incident: Wednesday, January 10, 1973
Age: 32
Badge Number: 277
Tour of Duty: 4 years
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Buried: Mission Park South
Location of Name on National and Texas Monuments
NLEOMF: P22 - W7
TPOM: 24, C, 16

Officer Jacobs was shot and killed when he interrupted a robbery in progress at Fina Sunglo convenient store located 1502 Clark Ave. Officer Jacobs was unaware that the robbery was taking place and had pulled into the parking lot. The suspect ran out the store and came across Officer Jacobs. The suspect shot Officer Jacobs in the head. A patron alerted the store clerk about Officer Jacobs lying in the parking lot. The clerk was already calling the police about the robbery. The suspect was apprehended and sentenced to life.

Patrolman Jacobs had served with the San Antonio Police Department for 4 years. He was survived by his wife, daughter, son, mother, three sisters, and five brothers.

Officer Antonio T. Cananles

Officer Antonio Trevino Canales
San Antonio Police Department, TX
Born: September 11, 1942
Cause of Death: Gunfire
End of Watch: Thursday, May 18, 1972
Date of Incident: Thursday, May 18, 1972
Age: 29
Badge Number: 773
Tour of Duty: 3 years
Suspect Info: Both men convicted; shooter was given 1,000 years.
Weapon Used: Sawed-off shotgun
Buried: San Fernando Cemetery #2
Location of Name on National and Texas Monuments
NLEOMF: P27 - W11
TPOM: 32, C, 12

Officer Canales stopped a vehicle on the 1200 block of Frio Rd. As Officer Canales approached the vehicle, the passenger shot Officer Canales in the chest using a 50 birdshot shotgun. Officer Canales fell and returned six shots at the vehicle departing. The occupants of the vehicle were Eugene Spencer and Edwin H. Bates and had committed a couple of convenient store robberies minutes earlier. As Spencer and Bates were fleeing, they lowered their heads to avoid Officer Canales's shots. The vehicle struck the expressway support of Hwy 90. Both Spencer and Bates bailed out of the vehicle to hide from police. Officer Canales crawled to his patrol unit to radio for assistance. As officers arrived, Bates gave himself up to police. Spencer was located the next day. Officer Canales died a short time later.

Officer Canales was survived by his wife and two sons.

Officer Canales attended Burbank High School, where he dropped out in the 10th grade. Officer Canales began to work for San Antonio as a City Garbage man and worked his way up to Supervisor in the Public Works Department. While working there he studied and received his GED. After he joined the San Antonio Police Department, Det. Tony Montalvo SAPD and Instructor at the Academy had this to say about Officer Canales. "One of the quietest, most polite kids we have ever had to go through the Police Academy. He never said a cross word and he never complained." -----source San Antonio Express News

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.

Deputy Winford M. Pattillo

Deputy Sheriff Winford Mickey "Odel" Pattillo
Bexar County Sheriff's Department, TX
Cause of Death: Automobile accident
End of Watch: Monday, June 09, 1969
Date of Incident: Friday, June 06, 1969
Age: 57
Badge Number: 429
Tour of Duty: Not available
Suspect Info: N/A
Weapon Used: N/A
Buried: Sunset Memorial Park
Location of Name on National and Texas Monuments
NLEOMF: P2 - W8
TPOM: 07, B, 02

On June 06, 1969 Deputy Winford Odel "Mickey" Pattillo's patrol car smashed into a 1,500 pound bull on Pearsall Road. Reserve Deputy Larry Cheever was a passenger in the patrol car. The bull had wandered onto Pearsall Road. The impact knocked the bull into the hood and sent it crashing into the windshield and over the roof of the car. Deputy Pattillo suffered massive internal head injuries. Reserve Deputy Cheever suffered minor injuries in the accident. Deputy Pattillo died at a local hospital on June 9, 1969 as a result of a traffic accident.

Survivors included his wife, Mrs. Ann Pattillo and one son. Deputy Pattillo was a member of Irwin Daylight Lodge AF & AM and had a Masonic ceremony at his gravesite. -----source San Antonio Light

Officer Richard M. Cuellar

Officer Richard Marcial Cuellar
San Antonio Police Department, TX
Born: July 3, 1931
Cause of Death: Gunfire
End of Watch: Friday, August 2, 1968
Date of Incident: Friday, August 2, 1968
Age: 37
Badge Number: 612
Tour of Duty: 11 years
Suspect Info: Juvenile – shot and killed
Weapon Used: small German-made pistol; .22 caliber
Buried: San Fernando Cemetery #2
Location of Name on National and Texas Monuments
NLEOMF: P26 - W7
TPOM: 29, C, 08

At 1:45 am, Officer Cuellar was arriving in the police parking lot, when he met with Officer J. Rodriguez who was also bringing in juvenile to be placed in the jail. Earlier Officer J. Rodriguez had arrested F. Barrients 14 years old, for drunkenness and found him in possession of a 6 inch banana curved knife. Once at headquarters, Officer J. Rodriguez opened the door to have Barrientos step out. Barrientos stepped out of the patrol vehicle but continued to walk away from Officer J. Rodriguez as Officer Cuellar had just arrived with three other teens in a separate arrest. Officer Cuellar placed himself in front of Barrientos to prevent his escape. Barrientos produced a .22 German-made pistol and fired into Officer Cuellar's chest. Barrientos then ran towards the police auto repair garage. Both Officers gave chase as Barrientos attempted to shoot at officers; both office's returned fire, striking Barrientos four times. Officer Cuellar staggered to his patrol unit and requested for assistance. Barrientos died at the scene. Later, Barrientos weapon was found to have only one spent round and four miss fires. Officer Cuellar died less than an hour later. According to Police records, Barrientos had been arrested four times before, twice for burglary and once by Office Cuellar for drunkenness in January 1968. --------Information gathered from San Antonio Express News and San Antonio Light.

Officer Cuellar was survived by his wife, and daughter. Officer Cuellar's wife was expected to give birth to their son three months later. He was also survived by his parents, two sisters, and five brothers.

Officer Cuellar served in the 36 Infantry Division National Guard as a Master Sergeant. He instructed Police Cadets in riot control at the Police Academy. He was a nine year veteran for the Police Panthers football team, which through the San Antonio Wolverines Council supports camping activities for underprivileged youths. Officer Cuellar worked in "Operation Big Brother" Summer Program sponsored by Economic Opportunities Development Corp. A program formed to promote a better understanding between underprivileged youths and police. Officer Cuellar spent much of his time working with underprivileged youths. In 1964 he was honored by San Antonio Junior Chamber of Commerce for "Most consistent public services as a police officer" and nominated again in 1967. Officer Cuellar was as graduate of Fox Tech High School. Officer Cuellar had been injured twice before, in 1966 on an off-duty job by a teen and in 1964. ------source San Antonio Express News


On September 26, 1975 The City of San Antonio dedicated Cuellar Park,located at 5626 San Fernando, in honor of Officer Cuellar.




Along with the Cuellar Community Center.

Deputy George Petrogallo

Deputy Sheriff George Petrogallo
Bexar County Sheriff's Department, TX
Born: 1920
Cause of Death: Automobile accident
End of Watch: Tuesday, May 9, 1967
Date of Incident: Monday, May 8, 1967
Age: 46
Badge Number: 434
Tour of Duty: 4 years
Suspect Info: N/A
Weapon Used: N/A
Buried: Mission Park South
Location of Name on National and Texas Monuments
NLEOMF: P55 - E4
TPOM: 30, C, 03


Deputy Petrogallo died as a result of a traffic accident. He was injured when his patrol car went out of control and struck railings on an Interstate Highway 10 underpass at Fresno on the afternoon of May 8, 1967. He died on the hospital on May 9, 1967. Deputy Petrogallo, 46, had just reported for duty and was answering a burglary call in Northeast Bexar County when his car skidded on wet pavement during heavy rain. His vehicle struck one overpass railing, then the other, throwing him from the vehicle. He was taken to Methodist Hospital where he died.

Deputy Petrogallo was a native of Hartford, Conn. he resided in Houston, Tx. but then moved to San Antonio and lived here for 11 years. He retired from the United States Air Force after 20 years of service and a Veteran of World War II. Deputy Petrogallo joined the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office in 1963.

Deputy Petrogallo was survived by his wife, Opal Petrogallo, a son, and two brothers. ----source San Antonio Express News and Officer Petrogallo's obituary

Officer Winston A. Culpepper

Officer Winston Aaron Culpepper
San Antonio Police Department, TX
Born: August 7, 1922
Cause of Death: Struck by vehicle
End of Watch: Saturday, September 11, 1954
Date of Incident: Saturday, September 11, 1954
Age: 32
Badge Number: 469
Tour of Duty: 2 yr
Suspect Info: 20-year old female driver
Weapon Used: Automobile
Buried: Stockdale Cemetery, Wilson County
Location of Name on National and Texas Monuments
NLEOMF: P25 - W14
TPOM: 01, C, 01

Officer Culpepper was stuck by an automobile and killed while he and Sergeant James Warrach investigated another fatal automobile-pedestrian accident on the 3300 block of South West Military Drive. Officer Culpepper and Sergeant Warrach had separate ends of a tape measure and were squatting to measure the skid marks when Sergeant Warrach saw an automobile approaching and called out, "Look out, Culpepper, you're going to get hit." Officer Culpepper had just finished writing the number "12" in his notebook. He grabbed the tape measure and attempted to leap clear at the same moment. Officer Culpepper was caught beneath the car and dragged 177 feet. He was removed to Santa Rosa Hospital where he died. A 20-year old female was charged with negligent homicide. -----source San Antonio Light


Officer Culpepper served in AMMI US Navy, World War II