Juan B. Mercado-Vega

Puerto Rico Police Department — San Juan, 127

Felonious

End of Watch March 11, 1971

Age 46

The Vigil Panel 108 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 363

Incident

Lieutenant Colonel Mercado-Vega and Sergeant Miguel Rosario-Rondon were shot and killed during a riot at the University of Puerto Rico. The riot started as a result of anti-Vietnam War sentiment directed at the university's ROTC program. Several other civilians and students were also shot and killed during the riot.

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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.
Lieutenant Colonel Mercado-Vega served with the Puerto Rico Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the San Juan community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lieutenant Colonel Mercado-Vega.

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

Agency

Department Puerto Rico Police Department

Location San Juan, 127

Platform Identity prpd.pr.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch March 11, 1971

Age 46

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Offender Not available

Lieutenant Colonel Juan B. Mercado-Vega 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.

Puerto Rico Police Department

279

of 364 officers

76.6% Felonious

127 — Statewide

294

of 388 officers

75.8% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious