Puerto Rico Police Department, Puerto Rico
End of Watch Thursday, October 9, 1997
Add to My HeroesGeraldo A. Santiago-Vazquez
Officer Geraldo Santiago-Vazquez was killed while attempting to arrest a robbery suspect in Aibonito, Puerto Rico.
Officer Santiago-Vazquez responded to a call of a robbery just committed in the neighboring town of Barranquitas, and caught up with a suspect matching the description. The suspect, who turned out to be an escaped fugitive, gained control of Officer Santiago-Vazquez's service weapon in the middle of a struggle and shot him once in the chest, killing him instantly. In the same incident, Agent Dixon Matos-Colon was also killed later in the day, but not before shooting the suspect and injuring him. He was charged with two counts of first degree murder, assault, robbery, illegal weapon and escaping prison.
Officer Geraldo Santiago-Vazquez served the Puerto Rico Police Department for 11 years, and was assigned to the Aibonito District.
Bio
- Age 32
- Tour 11 years
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Officer's handgun
- Offender Not available
Most Recent Reflection
View all 15 ReflectionsAgent Santiago-Vazquez,
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.
R.I.P.
USBP
Anonymous
United States Border Patrol
October 9, 2022
Recent LODD Deaths

Deputy Sheriff Jesse Perez
Dawson County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: April 22, 2025

Captain Helio Armando Garcia, III
South Fulton Police Department, GA
EOW: April 16, 2025

Deputy Sheriff Melissa Pollard
Wood County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: April 9, 2025

Deputy Sheriff William May
Walton County Sheriff's Office, FL
EOW: April 2, 2025

Police Officer Osmar Rodarte
Marysville Police Department, CA
EOW: March 26, 2025

Sergeant Grant J. Candies
St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office, LA
EOW: March 23, 2025

Deputy Sheriff Hector Cuevas, Jr.
San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, CA
EOW: March 17, 2025

Sergeant Joseph Anthony Azcona
Newark Police Division, NJ
EOW: March 8, 2025

Police Officer Felicia Dee Reilly
Saint Paul Police Department, MN
EOW: March 1, 2025