Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Rosalin Suarez was shot and killed after he responded to a silent alarm at a business at 3 am. Another officer reported seeing a burglar leave the opposite end of the building, and then Officer Suarez radioed that he was in a foot pursuit. After hearing a gunshot, the other office located Officer Suarez's body in the common area of an apartment complex several blocks away. The subject was later arrested in possession of Officer Suarez's duty weapon, which he stole during the assault. The man had previously stolen the pistol used to shoot Officer Suarez twice from the same location. It had previously been recovered and was returned before the man stole it again. The man, 29, was originally sentenced to death, but in 1987 the sentence was reduced to life upon appeal. Officer Suarez was a U.S. Army veteran who had served with the McAllen Police Department for three months and had previously served with the Pharr Police Department for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and brother, who later served with the McAllen Police Department.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-FE3D335C- 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.
Police Officer Suarez gave the McAllen Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the McAllen 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
Rosalin Suarez, Jr. served in the Army (1975â1978) before joining law enforcement.
Police Officer Rosalin Suarez, Jr. 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 McAllen Police Department, 5 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Rosalin Suarez, Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Rosalin Suarez, Jr. Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Rosalin Suarez, Jr. is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Rosalin Suarez, Jr. was killed by handgun; derringer.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from McAllen Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
