Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant Erasmo García-Torres was shot and killed while conducting a traffic stop at the intersection of Calle Villa and Calle Venus in Ponce, Puerto Rico.
The driver started to walk away during the stop, and Sergeant García-Torres began to follow him. The man suddenly turned around and opened fire on Sergeant García-Torres, striking him in the head. Sergeant García-Torres was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The man who shot him was arrested a short time later and charged with murder. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 188 years in prison.
Sergeant García-Torres had served with the Puerto Rico Police Department for 30 years and was assigned to the Ponce East Precinct. He was posthumously promoted to the rank of Sergeant.
Survivors
He is survived by his four sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PR-08DABC8E- 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
29 years. You could have gone home.
Sergeant García-Torres gave the Puerto Rico Police Department 29 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the San Juan community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant García-Torres.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sergeant Erasmo García-Torres 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 127, 294 of 388 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75.8% of this state's fallen. That is 21.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Puerto Rico Police Department, 279 of 364 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 76.6% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Erasmo García-Torres's cause is highlighted.
How Erasmo García-Torres Compares
Offender Outcome
Charged with murder
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Erasmo García-Torres is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Erasmo García-Torres was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
363 officers from Puerto Rico Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
