In honor of those who gave all...

The purpose of this blog is to preserve the memory of Texas Peace Officer's killed in the line of duty within Bexar County. It has been a long journey researching the stories of each officer. In researching each story and finding the details of their tragic sacrifice, we have discovered intresting information on some. Starting on the first day of National Law Enforcement Week May, 9 to May 15, 2010; 10 or 11 random officers' stories will be posted until we have placed all 73 officers. There after, their story will be republished on the aniversary date they were taken from us, preffered with information about their life as we continue to gather new information.

This journey has been touching as I came across paths with the mother of one of our officers; who stated not only did she lose her oldest daughter but her youngest son. Each serving as Texas Peace Officer's, one from San Antonio Police Department and the other with Bexar County Sheriff's Office. Her daughter was the first female officer killed in the line of duty and her son was killed as a result of a domestic situation. She stated she had prayed no one forget her children. Ms. Calderon was informed they never will be.....but I ask those who knew any of our officers or have any information about our officers, please emaill to BCTPOM@yahoo.com or visit us on Facebook.

Officer Robert A. Davis

Officer Robert A. Davis
San Antonio Police Department, TX
Born: July 26, 1982
Cause of Death: Struck by vehicle
End of Watch: Monday, December 1, 2008
Date of Incident: Friday, November 28, 2008
Age: 26
Badge Number: 1256
Tour of Duty: 1 yr
Suspect Info: Not Available
Weapon Used: Not Available
Buried: Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery
Location of Name on National and Texas Monuments
NLEOMF:
TPOM:

Officer Robert Davis succumbed to injuries sustained four days earlier when he was struck by a patrol car while clearing flares at the scene of an earlier accident.

A nearby officer was responding to backup another officer at a shoplifting call when his patrol car collided with another vehicle near the intersection of Potranco Road and Hunt Lane. The collision knocked the patrol car into Officer Davis.

Officer Davis was transported to a local hospital where he was put on life support. He was removed from life support four days later and died as a result of his injuries.

The officer driving the patrol car was also seriously injured in the crash.

Officer Davis had served with the San Antonio Police Department for 1 year. He is survived by his wife, of whom he was married to for one year.-----source San Antonio Express News

Obituary from the San Antonio Express-News:
Officer Robert A. Davis, age 26, passed away on Monday, December 1, 2008. Robert served his God, proudly served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps and dedicated himself to his community as a San Antonio Police Officer. He was an exceptional person, always caring and loving. Robert was very devoted to his wife, Simona and family. He is survived by his beloved wife, Simona Davis; his two mutts, Peter and Paul; his Mom and Dad, Romeo and Isabel Rosales; his loving family: Alfredo and Libni, Soraya and Selma Ortiz Valles; Romeo, Deodelee and Romeito Rosales; Wendy and Rickey Rosales; his Mother, Rita Carter; sisters: Samantha Davis and Georgia Clinton; Aunt Tracy Brown and numerous other family members.

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

Detective Mario Moreno

Detective Mario Moreno
San Antonio Police Department, TX
Born: July 22, 1970
Cause of Death: Gunfire
End of Watch: Friday, September 21, 2007
Date of Incident: Friday, September 21, 2007
Age: 37
Badge Number: 2459
Tour of Duty: 11 yrs
Suspect Info: Jimmy Garcia, Shot and killed
Weapon Used: Shotgun
Buried: Unknown
Location of Name on National and Texas Monuments
NLEOMF:
TPOM:

Detective Mario Moreno was shot and killed while attempting to serve an arrest warrant on a suspect who had shot his girlfriend the previous day.

At 1:45 p.m. Detective Moreno, along with other officers assigned to the Repeat Offender Program, went to the Villas of St. Moritz at 7221 Lamb Road, apartment complex where the Jimmy Garcia was hiding. With the assistance of a person who new Garcia, the suspect was lured out into the parking lot. When the Garcia spotted the officers, he fled on foot, with Detective Moreno in close pursuit. During the chase, the Garcia drew a concealed shotgun that was pressed against his body and opened fire, striking Detective Moreno in the face. Other officers returned fire, killing Garcia. ---source San Antonio Express News

Detective Moreno was transported to University Hospital, but died from his wounds a short time later.

Detective Moreno was survived by his loving wife of 12 years, his son (age 8) and his daughter (age 4), father and mother, father-in-law, mother-in-law, brothers and sisters.

Detective Moreno was born on July 22, 1970 in San Antonio, Texas. After graduating from McCollum High School, Mario enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He served in Operation Desert Shield/Storm and completed 4 years of honorable service.

Detective Moreno's life ambition was to "give back to his community" of San Antonio. While completing his Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice at Wayland Baptist University, He joined the San Antonio Police Department in 1996. He had recently been promoted to detective in June 2007. -----source Officer Moreno's obituary

Officer Valentine D. Lopez

Officer Valentine (Val) D. Lopez Jr.
San Antonio Police Department, TX
Born: 1952
Cause of Death: Gunfire
End of Watch: Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Date of Incident: Thursday, February 17, 1977
Age: 54
Badge Number: 287
Tour of Duty: 31 years
Suspect Info: Jack Barber; Sentenced to life
Weapon Used: Handgun
Buried: Mission Park South Cemetery
Location of Name on National and Texas Monuments
NLEOMF:
TPOM:

On February 17, 1977, Officer Val Lopez, Jr., responded to a call in regards to a man with a gun at a bar. He was initially the cover officer but was closer, so he reached the scene first. According to witnesses, as soon as Officer Lopez entered the bar, the suspect began to shoot. Officer Lopez was shot twice. One bullet struck his abdomen and the other hit his badge first before striking his chest.

The suspect was identified as 41-year-old Jack Barber. He was charged and convicted with attempt to Commit Capital Murder. He was sentenced to life in prison and has since died.

While Officer Lopez eventually returned to duty and served another 29 years, he never fully recovered from the wound to his abdomen. Officer Lopez developed complications during surgery and died on June 21, 2006.

Officer Lopez leaves behind a wife and two daughters. He was buried in the Mission Park South Cemetery in San Antonio.

Officer Lopez served as a Sergeant First Calvary Division in the U.S. Army. Officer Lopez joined SAPD on August 15, 1975; his assignments included Patrol Division, Repeat Offenders Unit, Intelligence Unit, and Narcotics Unit. ----source San Antonio Express News and Officer Lopez’s obituary

Officer John R. Wheeler

Officer John Randolph Wheeler
San Antonio Police Department, TX
Born: April 2, 1964
Cause of Death: Vehicular Assault
End of Watch: Friday, October 14, 2005
Date of Incident: Friday, October 14, 2005
Age: 41
Badge Number: 1093
Tour of Duty: 12 years
Suspect Info: Killed in the accident
Weapon Used: Automobile; Alcohol involved
Buried: Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery
Location of Name on National and Texas Monuments
NLEOMF: P4-W25
TPOM:

Officer John Wheeler was killed in an automobile accident when his patrol car was struck from behind by a 1994 Chevrolet Caprice that was traveling at an estimated 100 mph on Loop 410 near Culebra. Officer Wheeler was running radar at the time of the 2:00 am crash. Both vehicles burst into flames after the impact.

Officer Wheeler was able to send a distress signal from his radio after the collision but was trapped in the vehicle and unable to respond to dispatch. Officer Wheeler's wife was the dispatcher who received the distress call initiated a GPS search and located his vehicle. Emergency crews where unable to rescue him from his burning cruiser. The other driver, who had a BAC over twice the legal limit, was also killed.

In 2003, he had been shot and wounded in the line of duty while responding to a robbery call. Officer Wheeler received the Purple Heart for "Valor in the Line of Duty". He was struck in the neck and leg by 2 of 21 bullets fired at him by men with AK-47s as they fled a robbery.

Officer John Wheeler is survived by his wife Kim Wheeler and two daughters Shayla and Mariah from his first marriage.

Officer Wheeler was born in Montague, Massachusetts to Clifford and Margaret Wheeler. He had two siblings, Jeff Wheeler and Nicole Wheeler Bender. He was married to Kimberly Wheeler, a dispatcher for the SAPD. Officer Wheeler served in the U.S. Air Force for 11 years. He was a veteran of the Persian Gulf War ----source San Antonio Express News

On August 16, 2008, The City of San Antonio renamed Chestnut Springs Park to Officer John Randolph Wheeler Park located 10239 Ingram Road, in honor of Officer Wheeler.


Served as a SSGT in the U.S. Air Force and was a Verteran of the Persian Gulf War.

Deputy Jesus A. Garza

Deputy Sheriff Jesus "Jesse" A. Garza, Jr.
Bexar County Sheriff's Department, TX
Born: December 10, 1970
Cause of Death: Automobile accident
End of Watch: Friday, December 26, 2003
Date of Incident: Friday, December 26, 2003
Age: 33
Badge Number: 1357
Tour of Duty: 11 years
Suspect Info: N/A
Weapon Used: N/A
Buried: San Fernando Cemetery #2
Location of Name on National and Texas Monuments
NLEOMF: P33 - E23
TPOM: 05, D, 16

On Friday, December 26, 2003, Bexar County Deputy Jesse A. Garza, Jr., was killed in a one car crash while responding to an emergency call. At approximately 6:00pm, Bexar County Sheriff's dispatchers alerted units in the southeastern of Bexar County of a one car rollover with injuries on US Highway 181 South, near Kilowatt Road. Deputies J. Garza, E. Calderon, and J. Rodriguez responded to the call, code #3 (emergency lights and sirens).

The dispatch office then began receiving calls of a one vehicle crash in the 9500 block of Stuart Road. The dispatcher attempted to contact Deputy Garza on the radio but received no answer. Deputy E. Calderon advised the dispatcher that he observed Deputy Garza turn south on Stuart Road from Highway 87East, and told the dispatcher that he would check Stuart Road.

Several minutes later Deputy E. Calderon located Deputy Garza's wrecked patrol vehicle in the 9500 block of Stuart Road. Medical assistance arrived on scene. Deputy Garza was transported to Brook Army Medical Center by Airlife. Deputy Garza died shortly after arriving at the hospital.

The investigation by Bexar County Sheriff's Traffic Safety Unit revealed that Deputy Garza was headed southbound on Stuart Road. When Deputy Garza's patrol vehicle came out of a left turn, the right side of the patrol vehicle left the highway. Deputy Garza's patrol vehicle slid across both lanes of the highway, went through a barbed wire fence and struck a group of trees. Deputy Garza was wearing his seat belt.

Deputy Jesse A. Garza, Jr., age 33, had worked assignments in Detention, Criminal Warrants, Gang Unit, and was assigned to the Patrol Division. Deputy Garza was preceded in death by his mother, Sylvia A. Garza. She had passed away two weeks earlier due to a long illness.

Deputy Garza was survived by his wife, Sandra Garza; sons, Lorenzo Campos and Richard Garza; daughters, Jessica and Gloria Garza; father, Jesus A. Garza; sister, Barbarita Holbert and her husband, Tracy; brother, Jamie Garza and his wife Maria; and father-in-law and mother-in-law Jesse and Sylvia Aguilar. He was a member of the Alamo Masonic Lodge #44 AF and AM. ----source San Antonio Express News and Deputy Garza's obituary

Officer Juan A. Morales

Officer Juan A. (Tazz) Morales
San Antonio Police Department, TX
Born: 1968
Cause of Death: Vehicular assault
End of Watch: Tuesday, December 11, 2001
Date of Incident: Tuesday, December 11, 2001
Age: 33
Badge Number: 251
Tour of Duty: 11 yr
Suspect Info: Apprehended
Weapon Used: Automobile
Buried: Unknown
Location of Name on National and Texas Monuments
NLEOMF: P22 - E30
TPOM: 30, B, 03

Officer Morales was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver while driving to work on his department motorcycle. A vehicle in the center lane of I-10 sideswiped his motorcycle, causing him to be thrown to the ground. The suspect fled the scene but was followed by a citizen and was observed switching cars. The citizen continued to follow and notified authorities. The suspect was later apprehended.

Officer Morales was survived by his wife and four children.

In 1991, Officer Morales apprehended the murderer of Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Carlos Warren. Trooper Warren's murder took place earlier in the evening near Austin and the suspect fled towards San Antonio. Officer Morales stopped the vehicle for speeding and was met by gunfire. He returned fire, wounding the suspect, and apprehended him. ----source San Antonio Express News