Puerto Rico Police Department, Puerto Rico
End of Watch Saturday, April 5, 1997
Add to My HeroesErnesto Caballero-Vega
Police Officer Ernesto Caballero-Vega was shot and killed while pursuing two fugitives while off-duty in San Juan, PR.
Around 10:30am, Officer Caballero-Vega noticed two men when they carjacked an elder person and followed in pursuit while in plain clothing. When the carjackers reached Los Cappa Road in the Cupey neighborhood their vehicle crashed and a shootout broke out resulting in the shooting of the officer.
Both suspects had escaped from a prison ambulance days before and both were apprehended hours after the shooting. They were charged locally with weapons act, kidnapping and escape, and federally with carjacking under the felony murder rule, and were both sentenced to life in prison.
Officer Ernesto Caballero-Vega had served with the Puerto Rico Police Department for four years and was named 1996 Police Officer of the Year. He was assigned to the San Juan Anti-Crime Unit (Saturacion). He is survived by his wife and two children.
Bio
- Age 27
- Tour 4 years
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Handgun
- Offender Life in Prison
Most Recent Reflection
View all 15 ReflectionsOfficer Cabellero-Vega,
On today, the 25th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Puerto Rico. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.
R.I.P.
USBP
Anonymous
United States Border Patrol
April 5, 2022
Recent LODD Deaths

Criminal Investigator Steven A. Carnes
Tom Green County District Attorney's Office, TX
EOW: November 13, 2022

Police Officer Gonzalo Carrasco, Jr.
Selma Police Department, CA
EOW: January 31, 2023

Master Patrol Officer Clarence L. "CJ" Williams
Cairo Police Department, GA
EOW: January 28, 2023

Supervisory Officer Jacqueline Montanaro
United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - Office of Field Operations, US
EOW: January 14, 2023

Police Officer Carl Douglas Kimball
St. Francisville Police Department, LA
EOW: January 12, 2023

Deputy Sheriff Darnell Calhoun
Riverside County Sheriff's Department, CA
EOW: January 13, 2023

Court Services Officer Curtis Matthew Worland
Alaska State Troopers, AK
EOW: December 13, 2022

Chief of Police Justin McIntire
Brackenridge Borough Police Department, PA
EOW: January 2, 2023

Deputy Sheriff Isaiah Cordero
Riverside County Sheriff's Department, CA
EOW: December 29, 2022