Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Ernesto Serna was shot and killed after confronting a shoplifter. Patrolman Serna was working an extra-duty assignment as security at the Wal-Mart Store. Patrolman Serna saw a male take a coat from the rack and walk out of the store without paying for it. He followed the shoplifter out of the store and stopped him in the parking lot. When Patrolman Serna confronted the suspect, he drew a handgun out from under his coat and opened fire, striking him once in the face. Patrolman Serna was able to return fire, and shot the suspect three times, killing him. Patrolman Serna was rushed to Thomason Hospital where he died shortly after 9 p.m. Patrolman Serna had served with the agency for two years where he was assigned to the Central Substation. He had just returned from Saudi Arabia where he served with the United States Army Reserve in Operation Desert Storm. He is survived by his wife and three sons. All of his sons became officers with the El Paso Police Department.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and three sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-B60562B4- 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 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.
Patrolman Serna gave the El Paso Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the El Paso community, and 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
Ernesto Serna served in the Army (1990â1991) before joining law enforcement.
Patrolman Ernesto Serna 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 El Paso Police Dept., 23 of 34 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 67.6% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Ernesto Serna's cause is highlighted.
How Ernesto Serna Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Ernesto Serna is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Ernesto Serna was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.
Others Who Wore This Badge
33 officers from El Paso Police Dept. are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
