SAPD History 1970s: In Memory

FILING COMPLAINTS

PRESS RELEASES

SPECIAL ALERTS

REAL TIME TRAFFIC

1970s

1970
DEATH OF GUADALUPE J. MARTINEZ
Date of Death : 09/04/1970
Age : 23
Cause of Death : Shot during a disturbance.

Patrolman Martinez responded to a neighborhood shooting call at Santiago and Chupaderas Streets. He was shot to death by an elderly man as the officer tried to talk the man into giving up the gun. The assailant was himself shot to death in the exchange of gunfire with Patrolman Martinez and Patrolman Serbantez. Patrolman Martinez was 23 years of age at the time of his death, and had served 9 months on the Department.

1972
DEATH OF ANTONIO T. CANALES
Date of Death : 05/18/1972
Age : 29
Cause of Death : Shot apprehending robbery suspects.

Patrolman Canales was shot with a shotgun while attempting to apprehend two men who were suspected of the robbery of a service station on Frio City Road. Patrolman Canales, mortally wounded, shot his own weapon at the fleeing suspects, causing their automobile to swerve off the road and crash. The suspects were apprehended, but Canales died a short time later. He was 29 years old and had served 3 years on the Department.

1973 DEATH OF GEORGE ELLIS JACOBS Date of Death : 01/14/1973 Age : 32 Cause of Death : Shot during a robbery.
Patrolman Jacobs surprised a man who was fleeing on foot from a gas station he had just robbed of $50. The assailant fired at point-blank range, mortally wounding Patrolman Jacobs as he stepped from his patrol car. Jacobs died four days later. The robber was later captured. Patrolman Jacobs was 32 years old and had served 4 years on the Department.

1973 DEATH OF RUSSELL SPANNAGEL Date of Death : 06/30/1973 Age : 24 Cause of Death : Shot with his own weapon.
Patrolman Spannagel was conducting a routine follow-up investigation involving a suspect in an affray, when he was disarmed and fatally shot by a 37-year old man. Cover officers arrived at the scene to find the assailant standing over Officer Spannagel's body, still holding the gun. Patrolman Spannagel was 24 years old and had served 4 years on the Department.

1974 DEATH OF HARRY BRACKMAN Date of Death : 06/27/1974 Age : 28 Cause of Death : Traffic Accident (Motorcycle).
Patrolman Brackman was responding to an officer in trouble call (officer shot at) on IH 10 Access Road. Before reaching the scene, Patrolman Brackman lost control of his motorcycle and was thrown from the cycle to his death. Patrolman Brackman was 28 years old and had served 6 years on the Department.

1975 DEATH OF JAMES E. ANDERSON Date of Death : 07/01/1975 Age : 39 Cause of Death : Shot during a disturbance.
Detective Anderson was responding to a disturbance call on Pike Road when he was fired upon by someone in the house he was investigating. As he was seeking cover, a second shot hit and killed him. Detective Anderson was 39 years old and had served 18 years on the Department.

1975 DEATH OF JAMES BENNETT, JR. Date of Death : 09/13/1975 Age : 30 Cause of Death : Traffic Accident(Auto).
Patrolman Bennett was directing traffic around an accident when he and his partner, Patrolman George Copeland, were struck from behind by another vehicle. Patrolman Bennett was 30 years old and had served 2 years on the Department.

1975 DEATH OF GEORGE COPELAND III Date of Death : 09/13/1975 Age : 28 Cause of Death : Traffic Accident(Auto).
Patrolman Copeland and Patrolman Bennett were directing traffic at the scene of an accident when they were struck from behind and killed by another vehicle. Patrolman Copeland was 28 years old and had served 7 years on the Department.

1977 DEATH OF ELOY F. GONZALES Date of Death : 08/15/1977 Age : 27 Cause of Death : Shot investigating a disturbance.
Patrolman Gonzales was shot and killed in the early morning hours of August 15, 1977, as he stepped from his patrol car to investigate a sidewalk disturbance. Patrolman Gonzales was 27 years old and had served 4 years on the Department.

1978 DEATH OF BERNABE SALAZAR, JR. Date of Death : 11/16/1978 Age : 31 Cause of Death : Shot serving a narcotics warrant.
Patrolman Salazar was shot and killed while attempting to serve a search warrant on a suspected narcotics law violator. Patrolman Salazar was 31 years old and had served 9 years on the Department.

Official Website of the City of San Antonio Police
POLICE - History 1970s