San Antonio Code Enforcement Services, Texas
End of Watch: Tuesday, February 17, 1998
Age: 43
Tour of Duty: 5 years
Badge Number: 695
Cause of Death: Heart attack
Date of Incident: February 17, 1998
Weapon Used: Person
Suspect Info: No charges were filed
Abatement Officer Edward A. Basham suffered a fatal heart attack while assisting the San Antonio Police Department search for six teenagers suspected of burglarizing two homes.
Officer Basham began a foot pursuit of four of the 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. He collapsed in a wooded area moments later.
None of the suspects were charged in connection with Officer Basham's death despite the fact that they knew they were being pursued.
Officer Basham was a U.S. Army veteran and had served with the San Antonio Department of Code Compliance for five years. He is survived by his daughter, mother, and three siblings.