Los Fresnos Police Department, Texas
End of Watch: Wednesday, October 7, 1981
Age: 25
Tour of Duty: 11 months
Badge Number: 302
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: September 29, 1981
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Executed in 1993
Patrolman Ricky Carrisalez was shot and killed after stopping a vehicle for speeding at the intersection of Texas 100 and FM 1847.
As he exited his vehicle the driver of the other vehicle also exited and opened fire on Patrolman Carrisalez. Patrolman Carrisalez returned fire but did not strike the subject. A civilian who was riding with Patrolman Carrisalez was able to call for help and gave a description of the vehicle.
Unbeknownst to Patrolman Carrisalez, the suspect had just shot and killed Trooper David Rucker during a traffic stop less than five minutes earlier. Responding units found Trooper Rucker's body several miles away, holding the identification of the man.
Patrolman Carrisalez succumbed to his injuries several days later but was able to identify the suspect in a photo lineup before he died.
During a search of the suspect's home, the duty weapon of Constable Ricky Lewis was located. Constable Lewis had been murdered two years earlier. The suspect was never charged in Constable Lewis' death and the case officially remains unsolved. The suspect was sentenced to death for the murders of Trooper Rucker and Patrolman Carrizales and was executed in 1993.