Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Tony Canales was killed by a shotgun blast to the chest during a traffic stop attempting to question two possible robbery suspects on Frio City Road. The suspects had recently robbed a service station when Patrolman Canales pulled them over. As Patrolman Canales approached the driver's side of the vehicle, he was shot in the chest. The suspects attempted to flee but crashed their car after Patrolman Canales returned fire. One of the subjects was arrested at the scene. The second subject fled but was arrested, hiding under a nearby house several days later. Patrolman Canales was transported to the Santa Rosa Hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds three hours later. The suspects, 22 and 28, were charged with murder. On May 14, 1973, one suspect was sentenced to 10,000 years in prison. The judge said it was his protest against the absence of the death penalty. Patrolman Canales had served with the San Antonio Police Department for two years. He was survived by his expectant wife and two children. His son was born after his death and became a Deputy Sheriff with the Bexar County Sheriff's Office.
Survivors
He was survived by his expectant wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-F375E65D- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Canales gave the San Antonio Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the San Antonio community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Canales.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Antonio T. "Tony" Canales is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In TX, 1,463 of 2,421 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.4% of this state's fallen. That is 6.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At San Antonio Police Dept., 40 of 64 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 62.5% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Antonio T. "Tony" Canales's cause is highlighted.
How Antonio T. "Tony" Canales Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 1000 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Antonio T. "Tony" Canales is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Antonio T. "Tony" Canales was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
63 officers from San Antonio Police Dept. are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
