Officer Hector R. Garza

Officer Hector R. Garza
San Antonio Police Department, TX
Born: August 22, 1952
Cause of Death: Gunfire
End of Watch: Thursday, March 29, 2001
Date of Incident: Thursday, March 29, 2001
Age: 48
Badge Number: 158
Tour of Duty: 25 yr
Suspect Info: Sentenced to death on two counts capital murder
Weapon Used: Handgun; Mac-10
Buried: Not disclosed
Location of Name on National and Texas Monuments
NLEOMF: P22-E44
TPOM: 32, B, 01

Officer Garza was shot and killed after responding to a domestic dispute on S. San Eduardo. Two officers were initially called to the residence at approximately 7:45 am to stand guard while a resident removed possessions from a house. Officers were called back at approximately 8:55 am for another disturbance involving the man and wife. The two were arguing in a bedroom. The suspect had his back to Officer Garza while he attempted to separate the two. The suspect suddenly spun around and shot Officer Garza in the head with a Mac-10 semi-automatic handgun.

The suspect then shot and killed his wife before chasing the woman's brother-in-law. After running out of ammunition he went back into the home and got an AK-47 and shot and wounded the brother-in-law and then shot Officer Garza again as he lay on the ground. The suspect was apprehended and charged with two counts of capital murder and three counts of attempted capital murder. He was convicted of the capital murder charges and sentenced to death. The suspect's mother was also charged in connection with starting the incident that led to the murders and sentenced to one year in prison.

Officer Garza had been employed with the San Antonio Police Department for 25 years. He is survived by his wife and five children.

Officer Garza liked the Beatles, tie-dye tee shirts, track, and softball. He was a basketball coach for St. Martin's Hall kinder class. Officer Garza was considering retirement and looking forward to pursuing a second career as a history teacher. He graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1970, served a tour of duty in the U.S. Army and worked as a truck driver before pursing a career in law enforcement. Officer Garza attended San Antonio College and the University of Texas at San Antonio. In November 1998, he received a Bachelor of Science degree in occupational education from Wayland Baptist University. He spent his free time barbecuing with family and friends, reading historical novels, fishing and searching San Antonio for old Beatles recordings to buy. Police Chief Al Philippus said, "Hector was a good guy with a big heart. Everybody liked him." Chief Philippus also said he and Officer Garza had been police cadets together, graduating from the academy in 1975.

Officer John A. Riojas

Officer John Anthony "Rocky" Riojas
San Antonio Police Department, TX
Born: 1963
Cause of Death: Gunfire
End of Watch: Saturday, February 03, 2001
Date of Incident: Friday, February 02, 2001
Age: 37
Badge Number: 1168
Tour of Duty: 11 yr
Suspect Info: Sentenced to death
Weapon Used: Officer's service weapon
Buried: San Fernando Cemetery #2
Location of Name on National and Texas Monuments
NLEOMF: P22 - E9
TPOM: 01, B, 09

Officer John Anthony "Rocky" Riojas at about 9:40 p.m. was summoned to the Stone Hollow Apartments in the 9400 block of Fredericksburg Road, for a Public Disturbance. He was involved in a foot chase with the suspect and was able to catch up to the suspect as a struggle ensued. Officer Riojas drew his service weapon but the fight went to the ground, and Officer Riojas ended up on top of the subject, chest to chest with his gun still in his hand. The individual grabbed Officer Riojas’ gun and then extended Officer Riojas’ arm and gun out away from him as he turned on his stomach. Being taller and longer of arm than Riojas, he was able to apply more leverage and got the gun away from Officer Riojas, who was physically very strong. Officer Riojas was now on the subjects back. The subject had the gun underneath him and officer Riojas was trying to get the gun back from under the subject, reaching around and under the right side of the subject. Meanwhile, the subject switched the gun to his left hand and extended the gun back over his left shoulder, next to his own ear and pulled the trigger. Officer Riojas’ head was on that side and he took the round through the forehead, killing him instantly. The suspect fleed the scene. Other Officers in the area responded to the gunfire. Officer Riojas was transported to a hospital, where he died two hours later at 12:07 a.m. after his family made the decision to take him off life support. Police Chief Al Philippus said at a 12:35 a.m. news conference. "The family had to make some very difficult decisions for him,"

After the incident at about 9:40 p.m., dozens of officials searched the area around the Stone Hollow Apartments in the 9400 block of Fredericksburg Road. Police officers and Bexar County sheriff's deputies - including the sheriff's gang unit - were involved in the manhunt and investigation. Riojas, a member of the Street Crimes Arrest Team unit, reportedly was in uniform when he was shot. The officer was alone when he was shot in the forehead, but other SCAT officers reportedly were in the area. SCAT officers operate over a special radio frequency but can alert patrol officers in emergencies, police spokesman Gabe Treviño said. He said Riojas was unable to radio for help but other officers arrived within a minute of the broadcast that shots had been fired and found Riojas. The shooting occurred in the back of the apartment complex near a bank of mailboxes, Treviño said. The suspect was found and arrested several days later, at his trial, he was sentenced to death.

Officer John Anthony "Rocky" Riojas had been with the agency for 11 years and is survived by his wife and two young children.

The Chief said Riojas "was a real hard worker, someone who everybody
admired, somebody who tried to make this community a better place."

"It is the blue centurions who safeguard the sanctity of life. It is officers like Rocky who patrol the streets while others sleep, who work the special holidays, and are away from their families. Yes, each day, police officers like Rocky begin their tour of duty knowing that through their service and numberless acts of courage, our community is safe". - Chief Al Philippus, eulogy excerpt.

Officer Oscar D. Perez

Officer Oscar Domingo Perez
San Antonio Police Department, TX
Born: January 14, 1969
Cause of Death: Gunfire
End of Watch: Friday, March 24, 2000
Date of Incident: Friday, March 24, 2000
Age: 31
Badge Number: 628
Tour of Duty: 7 yr
Suspect Info: Committed suicide
Weapon Used: Handgun
Buried: Mission Park North
Location of Name on National and Texas Monuments
NLEOMF: P55-W22
TPOM: 38, C, 07

Officer Perez was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man who was wanted in another jurisdiction. Officer Perez and his partner were sent to a hotel after receiving a tip that the suspect was there. When the suspect refused the officers entry to his room, the officers opened the door using Managements spare room key. As the officers entered the room the suspect dropped behind the bed and opened fire, striking Officer Perez in the head. Officer Perez's partner returned fire, but did not strike the suspect, who then committed suicide. Officer Perez was flown to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead during surgery. ----source San Antonio Express News

On July 8, 2006 The City of San Antonio dedicated the Oscar Perez Memorial Park located 8601 Timber Path in honor of Officer Perez.

Officer Edward A. Basham

Abatement Officer Edward A. Basham
San Antonio Code Compliance Department, TX
Born: July 1, 1954
Cause of Death: Massive Heart Attack
End of Watch: Tuesday, February 17, 1998
Date of Incident: Tuesday, February 17, 1998
Age: 43
Badge Number: 695
Tour of Duty: 7 Months as Abatement Officer
Suspect Info: Charged with 2 counts of Burglary of a Habitation (each)
Weapon Used: N/A
Buried: Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery
Location of Name on National and Texas Monuments
NLEOMF: P22-E35
TPOM: 05, B, 09


Officer Basham suffered a massive heart attack after a foot chase of six teenage burglars. On February 17, 1998, at approximately 12:40 PM, Officer Basham assisted San Antonio Police Department district officers in establishing a quadrant within the vicinity of the burglarized home. He observed the suspects fleeing a San Antonio Police Officer due north from his location. He immediately initiated a foot pursuit to assist in the apprehension of the six burglary suspects and chased them for a short distance. He returned to his patrol car and continued to pursue the suspects before beginning a second foot pursuit. It was not until Officer Basham returned to his patrol vehicle that he suffered a massive heart attack. He collapsed in a wooded area moments later. Officer Basham was not discovered until suspects were apprehended and citizens came forward advising of an officer face down on the roadway. Officer Basham was pronounced dead at the scene.

None of the suspects were charged in connection with Officer Basham's death despite the fact that they knew they were being pursued.

Officer Edward A. Basham was survived by his daughter, Stacy Basham.-----source San Antonio Express News and internet

Served as a SSG in the U.S. Army and was a Verteran of the Vietnam War.

Officer Michael C. McInnis

Officer Michael Corey McInnis
San Antonio Police Department, TX
Born: November 24, 1969
Cause of Death: Vehicle pursuit
End of Watch: Monday, August 28, 1995
Date of Incident: Monday, August 28, 1995
Age: 25
Badge Number: 761
Tour of Duty: 2 yr
Suspect Info: N/A
Weapon Used: N/A
Buried: Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery
Location of Name on National and Texas Monuments
NLEOMF: P3-W20
TPOM: 36, C, 11

On August 28, 1995 at about 11:15 pm, Officer McInnis was responding to a call for possible theft at Goodwill Industries drop station located at 1200 SW Loop 410. Officer McInnis was traveling northbound on Loop 410. Witnesses reported seeing Officer McInnis's patrol unit pass them at a high rate of speed. They also reported seeing a red Toyota pickup in front of the unit, believed to be theft suspects. Witnesses stated they lost sight of Officer McInnis until they continued further and saw the accident. Dispatch tapes did not report Officer McInnis was in pursuit but several garbled broadcast were heard from his radio shortly before citizens used it to report the accident. Officer McInnis's patrol car struck the guard rail sideways at the access road of Loop 410 approaching Texas 151 cut off. Officer McInnis succumbed to his wounds at the scene.

Officer McInnis was survived by his wife, two sons, parents, and brother.

Officer McInnis's father served as a Detective with San Antonio Police Department and was assigned to the Academy at the time of Officer McInnis death. Officer McInnis served as a SSGT in the U.S. Army and was a Veteran of the Persian Gulf War. ----source San Antonio Express News

Officer Fabian D. Dominguez

Officer Fabian Dale Dominguez
San Antonio Police Department, TX
Born: September 6, 1965
Cause of Death: Gunfire
End of Watch: Sunday, January 15, 1995
Date of Incident: Sunday, January 15, 1995
Age: 29
Badge Number: 399
Tour of Duty: 2 yr
Suspect Info: Sentenced to death, executed on January 17, 2007
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Buried: Mission Park North
Location of Name on National and Texas Monuments
NLEOMF: P17 - W20
TPOM: 07, C, 11

Officer Dominguez was shot and killed while investigating a burglary in his neighborhood. As Officer Dominguez was returning home from work he noticed a suspicious vehicle a few blocks from his home. As he was approaching the vehicle with his weapon drawn he ordered the driver to turn off the car and give him the keys. As he reached in to get the keys the suspect smacked his gun away and shot him at the same time, causing him to drop his weapon inside the vehicle. The suspect then exited the vehicle and retrieved Officer Dominguez's weapon and shot him several more times, then fled the scene. The suspect was later captured with Officer Dominguez's weapon in his possession.

The suspect who shot Officer Dominguez was sentenced to death and executed on January 17, 2007. One of the other two suspects was sentenced to life. The third suspect was sentenced to 25 years in prison for engaging in organized crime.

Officer Dominguez had been with the agency for two years and was survived by his wife and twin daughters.

In 1996 the Bexar County State Jail facility was renamed to the Fabian Dominguez Unit in honor of Officer Dominguez. ----source San Antonio Express News and TDCJ website

Officer Paul M. Pytel

Officer Paul Matthews Pytel
San Antonio Park Police, TX
Born: 1965
Cause of Death: Drowned
End of Watch: Sunday, July 31, 1994
Date of Incident: Sunday, July 31, 1994
Age: 29
Badge Number: 9826
Tour of Duty: 9 years
Suspect Info: Not available
Weapon Used: Not available
Buried: San Fernando Cemetery #3
Location of Name on National and Texas Monuments
NLEOMF: P21 - E19
TPOM: 11, B, 17

Officer Pytel drowned while chasing a murder suspect when he was pushed or fell into Salado Creek. The suspect was wanted in connection with a shooting earlier. Park Police Gabriel Escobedo and Officer Pytel had been working in Martin Luther King Park and heard shots fired. At the sound of the first shot, Officer Escobedo turned and saw three men with guns drawn among a group of about five. Officer Escobedo said that while he could see only three weapons, all the men had their arms extended straight out in front of them, as if they were firing as well. Officer Pytel chased the men in his vehicle then began a foot pursuit as they ran across a field and toward Salado Creek at the back of the park. Officer Ernest Trevino was dispached to the park and headed for the creek to try and cut off the fleeing suspects. Officer Trevino arrested two of the suspects at the same time he heard a splash in the creek. Officer Trevino cuffed the suspects, and headed for the spot where Officer Pytel had gone in. The creek was muddy and stirred up and it took several minutes to locate Officer Pytel; when he was pulled out, Officer Trevino performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation but was unable to revive him. Officer Pytel became the first San Antonio Park Ranger to die in the line of duty. He was a graduate of Burbank High School, a nine-year veteran of the Parks Department, served in the Department’s Honor Guard and was a field training officer and Bike Patrol officer -- information gathered from 226th Judicial District Court, Bexar County, Texas records, San Antonio Light and ODMP

He was survived by his wife, mother, father, 2 brothers and 1 sister.

On May 14, 1996, The City of San Antonio dedicated former South New Braunfels Park to Pytel Park, located 6200 S. New Braunfels. The park was officially named for Officer Pytel who dedicated his life to keeping parks safe for the citizens of San Antonio.

The San Antonio Park Police Explorer Post 9826 was established in memory and honor of Park Police Officer Paul Pytel. The San Antonio Park Police Explorer Post 9826 is for those 15 to 20 years of age and have a sincire interest in law enforcement. Teahing them on law enforcement topic such as: Basics of Law Enforcement; Accident Investigation; Arrest, Search and Seizure; Bomb Threats; Building Searches; Crime Scene Investigation; Crisis/Hostage Negotiation; Felony Stops; Physical Agility/Team Building; Robbery Investigation and Traffic Stops.