Jose T. Garza, Sr.
Agency patch
Deputy City Marshal

Jose T. Garza, Sr.

San Juan Police Department — San Juan, TX
Felonious
End of Watch March 2, 1930
Age 43
The Vigil Panel 59 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Deputy City Marshal Jose Garza was shot and killed from ambush while walking in San Juan at approximately 11:00 pm.

After being shot, he stumbled into a barbershop and collapsed. It is believed he was ambushed by bootleggers whom he had investigated.

He was survived by his wife and young son.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and young son.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-075B825C
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.
Deputy City Marshal Garza served with the San Juan Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the San Juan community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy City Marshal Garza.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Location San Juan, TX
Platform Identity sjpd.hidalgo.tx.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch March 2, 1930
Age 43
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Cause Detail Gunfire
Weapon Handgun; .45 caliber

Deputy City Marshal Jose T. Garza, Sr. 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%.

San Juan Police Department
1
of 1 officers
100% Felonious
TX — Statewide
1,463
of 2,421 officers
60.4% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Jose T. Garza, Sr.'s cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How Jose T. Garza, Sr. Compares

Age at End of Watch
43
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Jose T. Garza, Sr. is highlighted in Mar.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Jose T. Garza, Sr. was killed by handgun; .45 caliber.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518