Police Officer Andres Laza-Caraballo, Juncos Municipal Police Department, Puerto Rico

Police Officer Andres Laza-Caraballo

Juncos Municipal Police Department, Puerto Rico

End of Watch Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Andres Laza-Caraballo

Police Officer Andres Laza-Caraballo was shot and killed while intervening in a shooting incident while off duty at approximately 1:30 pm.

He was patronizing a barber shop on Calle Emilia Príncipe when several men started smoking marijuana in front of it. When the shop owner asked the men to leave he was attacked. Officer Laza-Caraballo identified himself as an officer and attempted to intervene when several of the subjects entered with rifles and opened fire.

Officer Laza-Caraballo was able to return fire, killing one of the men and wounding a second one before being fatally shot. The remaining two subjects fled the scene and remain at large. Three of the men, including the two who Officer Laza-Caraballo shot, were brothers.

Officer Laza-Caraballo had served with the Juncos Municipal Police Department for 10 years. He is survived by his two children.

Bio

Age 31
Tour 10 years
Badge 162

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Weapon Rifle
Offender Shot and killed

narcotics, disturbance, off duty, weapons violation

Most Recent Reflection

View all 194 Reflections

On behalf of my family, I extend our sincerest condolences on the grievous loss you suffered when Andres was killed in the line of duty.

To the Laza-Caraballo family, fellow officers, and all who call Andres beloved, my heart goes out to all of you and may you find comfort in your loved ones and your strength in your faith. When my son was killed, the entire law enforcement community in our area embraced us in a circle of love and support, and I hope you will receive the same support. It makes the unbearable less torturous, and I pray for your solace. I hope that your family knows that a nation mourned for you. In reading the many reflections left for you, I can see what an impact you made on so many people.

To all the law enforcement officers in Puerto Rico and their families, I have such admiration for all of you who have chosen a career of service there. I have been posting on ODMP for 13 years and have noted how many police officers are killed in Puerto Rico. I was unaware until I started posting here of the extreme danger your officers face, yet you pin on the badges and hit the streets to make your communities safer. I pray for your safety every day.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the dedicated service Andres gave to his community and the residents of Puerto Rico and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on March 21, 2018.

Phyllis Lasater Loya
mom of fallen Pittsburg Officer Larry Lasater, eow 4/24/05

July 28, 2018