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Incident
Sergeant Mario Salas was killed when his vehicle was struck by a tractor-trailer at Gibbs Street and Bedell Avenues in Del Rio. He was working a drug deal at the time and was involved in a surveillance operation, following one of the suspects at 2:00 a.m. A driver of a tractor-trailer making a delivery ran a red light while making a left turn. Sergeant Salas's vehicle and the truck collided. The suspects he was following were arrested later that day. The driver was charged with involuntary manslaughter. Sergeant Salas had served with the Del Rio Police Department for 10 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, two daughters, and parents.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Detective Sergeant Salas gave the Del Rio Police Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Del Rio community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Sergeant Salas.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Del Rio Police Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Mario is one of 657 officers lost to accidents in TX, 27.1% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Mario is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Mario is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1988, 10 officers in TX were lost to accidents, the 7th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1994, with 14.
In 1988, 80 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 27th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1988, 84 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 48th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Mario was 33. Of the 626 lost to accidents in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 46; the middle age was 36. Mario had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Mario was 33. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Mario had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Mario was 33. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Mario had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 7.9% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 11.7%. Thursdays: 11.3%.
January holds 7.7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
January holds 8.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 14.2%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Del Rio Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 100% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 27.1% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 6.7% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 6.9% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 5.6% of these deaths.
His people
Del Rio Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Mario among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 48-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Del Rio Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
