Puerto Rico Police Department, Puerto Rico
End of Watch: Tuesday, April 11, 1995
Age: 47
Tour of Duty: 20 years
Badge Number: 7-1102
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: April 11, 1995
Weapon Used: Handgun; .40 caliber
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life
Lieutenant Luis Hernandez-Vega was shot and killed while serving a warrant in the La Plena community in Salinas, Puerto Rico.
The subject was a two-time convicted murderer who had violated his probation. As officers from the Anti-Crime Unit approached him he stated he would comply, but suddenly produced a .40 caliber handgun and shot Lieutenant Hernandez-Vega in the face. Other officers returned fire, wounding the subject.
The man was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life in prison.
Lieutenant Hernandez-Vega was a combat veteran of the Puerto Rico National Guard and had served with the Puerto Rico Police Department for 20 years. He was survived by his wife, daughter, and two sons. One of his sons also became a police officer with the Puerto Rico Police Department.