Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Atilano Garcia-Mendez was shot and killed while placing an armed man under arrest as he assisted his partner with a group of individuals with illegal weapons in Carolina, Puerto Rico. Officer Garcia-Mendez and his partner responded to a call of shots fired in a public housing section of Los Mirtos in Carolina, Puerto Rico. When they arrived they found several people with guns and revolvers. Officer Garica-Mendez and his partner intervened, and in the midst of a struggle, he was shot in the back. His partner returned fire and carried Officer Garcia-Mendez to their patrol car and took him to a nearby hospital where he died. Officer Garcia-Mendez was survived by his wife. In the Puerto Rico Police Department week of 1975, Officer Garcia-Mendez was posthumously awarded the Gold Medal of the Puerto Rico Police Department for sacrificing his life while performing his duty. His partner was awarded the Silver Medal for putting his life at risk to protect his partner while in danger.
Survivors
Officer Garcia-Mendez was survived by his wife.
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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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Policeman Garcia-Mendez served with the Puerto Rico Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the San Juan community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Policeman Garcia-Mendez.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Policeman Atilano Garcia-Mendez is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In 127, 294 of 388 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75.8% of this state's fallen. That is 75.8 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Puerto Rico Police Department, 279 of 364 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 76.6% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Atilano Garcia-Mendez's cause is highlighted.
How Atilano Garcia-Mendez Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Atilano Garcia-Mendez is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Atilano Garcia-Mendez was killed by gun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
363 officers from Puerto Rico Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
