Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Lorenzo Bustos was struck and killed by a drunk driver at about 12:50 while making a traffic stop in the 14000 block of State Highway 155.
He and his field training officer had conducted a traffic stop shortly before midnight and had taken two occupants of the vehicle into custody. While they were completing their investigation of the initial traffic stop another vehicle struck Deputy Bustos as he stood behind his patrol SUV. The impact pushed Deputy Bustos beneath the patrol vehicle. His partner, who was sitting in the passenger seat at the time of the crash, immediately started rendering aid.
Deputy Bustos was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries about five hours later.
The driver who struck him was charged with intoxication manslaughter.
Deputy Bustos had served with the Smith County Sheriff's Office for six months and was on his final night of field training. He had previously served with the Rusk County Sheriff's Office for one year and the Henderson Police Department for one year.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-0BE99BA8- 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 Bustos gave the Smith County Sheriff's Office 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Tyler community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Bustos.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Lorenzo Bustos 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 Smith County Sheriff's Office, 5 of 8 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. Lorenzo Bustos's cause is highlighted.
How Lorenzo Bustos Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Lorenzo Bustos is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Lorenzo Bustos was killed by automobile; alcohol involved.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Smith County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
