United States Department of Veterans Affairs Police Services, U.S. Government
End of Watch: Wednesday, April 24, 2002
Age: 53
Tour of Duty: 18 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: April 24, 2002
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life
Police Officer Jose Rodriguez-Reyes was shot and killed while stationed at a gate at the San Juan VA Medical Center.
He was attacked by two suspects for an unknown reason and shot in the head and chest. After shooting Officer Rodriguez-Reyes, the suspects attempted to steal his service weapon but were unable to remove it from its holster. Officer Rodriguez-Reyes was the first armed Veterans Affairs officer to be killed in the line of duty.
Two suspects were arrested by the FBI and charged with murder. The suspect who shot Officer Rodriguez-Reyes was convicted of murder in July 2006 and subsequently sentenced to life in prison.
Officer Rodriguez-Reyes had served with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs Police for 18 years. He is survived by his wife and six children.