Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Soto died from wounds sustained several days earlier when he was beaten by three men after having arrested one of the men for fighting.
The man who had originally been arrested was permitted to go back into a dance to retrieve his hat. When he exited the dance hall, two other men accompanied him. One of the men asked the suspect to be released into their custody.
When Officer Soto refused they attacked his assistant. As Officer Soto attempted to intervene, he was knocked from his horse and then severely beaten by the three. He died several days later.
One of the suspects was convicted of murder and sentenced to 5 years in jail.
On this 125th anniversary of your death know that no passage of time will ever erase your service and sacrifice. Rest in peace always.
Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo Delaware State Police (Retired) October 4th, 2020
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-TX-CE4362F7- Stewardship
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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
131 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Officer Soto served with the San Elizario Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the San Elizario community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer Dionisio Soto 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 TX, 1,461 of 2,422 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.3% of this state's fallen. That is 60.3 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Dionisio Soto's cause is highlighted.
How Dionisio Soto Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Dionisio Soto is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Dionisio Soto was killed by blunt object.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from San Elizario Police Department are honored on badge.nw.