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Incident
Sergeant Kenneth Vann was shot and killed in an ambush while stopped at a red light on Rigsby Avenue at 2:12 am.
He was responding to a non-emergency call and had stopped for a red light at the intersection of Rigsby Avenue and SE Loop 410. A car pulled up next to his patrol car on the passenger side and the occupant immediately opened fire with no warning. Sergeant Vann was struck by multiple shots. His patrol car rolled through the intersection and was stopped by crash barriers. He succumbed to his wounds before arriving at a local hospital.
The shooter fled the scene in the vehicle and remained at large for one week. He was arrested on June 5, 2011, when law enforcement officers raided his home. The subject was found guilty of capital murder and was sentenced to death on October 20, 2015.
Sergeant Vann was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and had served with the Bexar County Sheriff's Office for over 24 years. He is survived by his wife and three children. His wife also serves with the Bexar County Sheriff's Office.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Marine Corps. One record, 2 gates. Kenneth is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Sergeant Vann gave the Bexar County Sheriff's Office 24 years.
Thank you for your service to the San Antonio community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Kenneth Gary Vann Sr. served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Bexar County Sheriff's Office has lost 18 officers; 10 of them killed feloniously.
Kenneth is one of 1,462 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,423 remembered there.
Kenneth is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Kenneth is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2011, 1 officer at Bexar County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 9 years on record. The heaviest was 1973, with 2.
In 2011, 7 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 89th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 2011, 88 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 71st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2011, 92 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 69th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Kenneth was 48. Of the 10 killed feloniously at Bexar County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 30.5 and 52.5; the middle age was 43. Kenneth had served 24.5 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Kenneth was 48. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Kenneth had served 24.5 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Kenneth was 48. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Kenneth had served 24.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Kenneth was 48. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Kenneth had served 24.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 10% of these deaths at Bexar County Sheriff's Office; February holds the most, 20%. Saturdays: 20%.
May holds 7.3% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Saturdays: 16.6%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 55.6% of all 18 deaths at Bexar County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle; ak-47, in 10% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,423 deaths in TX, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle; ak-47, in 0.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle; ak-47, in 0.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle; ak-47, in 0.2% of these deaths.
His people
Bexar County Sheriff's Office has 18 officers remembered here, Kenneth among them.
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Joseph L. Hood Mar 19, 1840
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Edward Alexander Stevens
Nov 7, 1885
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John Thomas Holloway
Jul 23, 1924
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George L. Mangold
Sep 18, 1932
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Frank Benjamin Ackerman
Sep 21, 1937
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George Petrogallo
May 9, 1967
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Winford Odell Pattillo
Jun 9, 1969
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Joshua B. Rodriguez, Jr.
Feb 2, 1973
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Vincent L. Walker
Feb 2, 1973
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Elwood Edward Groff
Oct 15, 1979
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George R. Garza
Sep 20, 1982
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Arturo E. Rodriguez
Dec 14, 1982
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Adrian Salazar Aguilar
Jun 30, 1985
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David Delgado Castillo
Apr 11, 1991
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Jesus A. Garza, Jr.
Dec 26, 2003
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Kenneth Gary Vann, Sr.
May 28, 2011
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Timothy P. De La Fuente
Apr 30, 2020
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Ronald Rudy Butler
Sep 3, 2021
Where
Military Service
Kenneth Gary Vann Sr. served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
Visit Kenneth Gary Vann Sr.’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
17 officers from Bexar County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
