Patrolman Hector Garza
San Antonio Police Department
Texas
End of Watch: Thursday, March 29, 2001

Biographical Info
Age: 48
Tour of Duty: 25 years
Badge Number: 158

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Thursday, March 29, 2001
Weapon Used: Handgun; Mac-10
Suspect Info: Sentenced to death

Patrolman Hector Garza was shot and killed after responding to a domestic dispute.

Two officers were initially called to the residence at approximately 0745 hours to stand guard while a resident removed possessions from a house. Officers were summoned back to the residence at approximately 0855 hours for another disturbance involving the man and wife. The two were arguing in a bedroom and the male had his back to Patrolman Garza when he attempted to separate the two. The male suddenly spun around and shot Patrolman 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 Patrolman 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.

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