Police Officer Robert Carey Deckard, Jr.

Robert Carey Deckard, Jr.

Police Officer Bobby Deckard succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained on December 8th while pursuing two robbery suspects in Atascosa County.

The suspects, who had committed 15 robberies in San Antonio over the previous several days, were driving a distinctively painted vehicle that Officer Deckard had spotted. He attempted to stop the vehicle but the suspects fled. Officer Deckard pursued the suspects on I-37, into Atascosa County, where one of the men in the vehicle opened fire on him near Exit 109.

One of the rounds passed through the cruiser's windshield and struck Officer Deckard in the head, causing his vehicle to crash. He was transported to San Antonio Military Medical Center, where he remained in grave condition until succumbing to his wounds. He was kept on life support so his organs could be donated.

Both subjects were arrested in Wilson County later in the day after attempting to kill a Poth Police Department officer.

In April 2018, the shooter was sentenced to life without parole. The getaway driver was sentenced to life in prison in January 2019, with a chance of parole after serving 30 years.

Officer Deckard had served with the San Antonio Police Department for seven years. He is survived by his wife and two children.