José M. Aponte-Torres

Puerto Rico Police Department — San Juan, 127

Accident

End of Watch June 17, 1980

The Vigil Panel 123 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 363

Incident

Sergeant José Aponte-Torres succumbed to injuries sustained in a motorcycle crash five days earlier as he provided an escort for a marathon on Munoz Rivera Avenue.

Another vehicle turned left in front of him, causing him to swerve into a wall. He was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

He was assigned to the Highway Patrol Division.

God of Justice, I am grateful for the lives and sacrifices of all America’s Peace Officers. They died serving us. Help us never forget. Help us celebrate their lives and honor their sacrifices. Be with the families of these fallen peace officers. Comfort them and give them Your strength and peace. Guide us as we seek to take care of the families of these fallen heroes. May we care for them with integrity. In commemorating the deaths of these fallen heroes, help us also to remember that death is not the end. Death does not have the final say, but is simply the transition from this earthly life to the heavenly life yet to come. This assurance was guaranteed to all believers upon the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. We look forward to that life to come with joy and anticipation. Thank You, Lord God, for hearing this prayer. In the mighty and holy name of Christ Jesus, Your dear Son, I pray. Amen.

Holy Scripture References:

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” [Psalm 23:4 ESV]

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” [John 3:16 ESV]

Chaplain Steven R. Closs, DDiv, MSBS, NCCA, NACM Ordained NACM Minister The Badge 183 Peacemakers Prayer Ministry Member: Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers - USA

Captain Steven R. Closs (Retired) Nashua NH Police Department (1974-1998) June 17th, 2025

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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.
Sergeant Aponte-Torres 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, Sergeant Aponte-Torres.

— 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 June 17, 1980

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Accident

Sergeant José M. Aponte-Torres is one of 10,088 officers lost to accidents in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 31% of all 32,508 officers honored here.

In 127, 85 of 388 officers were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 21.9% of this state's fallen. That is 9.1 percentage points below the national rate of 31%.

At Puerto Rico Police Department, 77 of 364 officers on record were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 21.2% of this agency's fallen.

Puerto Rico Police Department

of 364 officers

21.2% Accident

127 — Statewide

of 388 officers

21.9% Accident

Nationwide

10,088

of 32,508 officers

31% Accident