Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Jose Vela was shot and killed during a shootout with two auto thieves.
The subjects fled into the brush along the Rio Grande River and engaged deputies in a shootout throughout the night. Deputy Vela was shot and killed before one of the thieves was arrested. It is not known if the second subject was ever arrested.
Deputy Vela was survived by his wife.
Survivors
Deputy Vela was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-A6D1B254- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Vela served with the Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Edinburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Vela.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Jose Vela 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 Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office, 4 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Jose Vela's cause is highlighted.
How Jose Vela Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Jose Vela is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Jose Vela was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
