Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Rocky Riojas died shortly after being shot during a foot chase in a troubled apartment complex.
A struggle ensued after he caught the subject. The man was able to gain control of Officer Riojas' weapon and shot him once in the head before fleeing the scene. Other officers were in the area and responded to the gunfire.
Patrolman Riojas was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his wounds approximately two hours later.
The man was arrested several days later and sentenced to death. He was executed by lethal injection on April 15th, 2015.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-A822DBF3- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew John. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Riojas gave the San Antonio Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the San Antonio community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Riojas.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman John Anthony Riojas 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%.
At San Antonio Police Department, 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. John Anthony Riojas's cause is highlighted.
How John Anthony Riojas Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Anthony Riojas is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.
Others Who Wore This Badge
63 officers from San Antonio Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
