Roll of Honor
Incident
In the 1890s Presidio County along the Rio Grande River separating Texas and Mexico was called the “Bloody Peninsula.” The name came from the bloodshed that was caused by outlaws and marauding bandits from Mexico. Antonio Carrasco was a noted outlaw and reportedly had killed eight men and been involved in numerous gun battles with lawmen. Deputy Sheriff Toribio Pastrano believed that Carrasco was involved in the murder of Texas Ranger Sergeant Fusselman on April 17, 1890. Deputy Pastrano learned that Carrasco would be at a fandango given on the Texas side of the Rio Grande River. He went alone to arrest him. As Pastrano entered the room, Carrasco said to him, “My friend, you are an officer and wish to arrest me. Very well.” As Carrasco spoke his hand dropped to his side, and he drew his pistol. The bullet entered Pastrano’s head just above the right eye and he fell dead. He mounted his horse and crossed the river back into Mexico. Pastrano was survived by his wife. No information on whether he had any children or his place of burial.
On June 21, 1892, three Texas rangers shot and killed Antonio Carrasco's his brother, Florencio, during an arrest. Another brother, Matildo Carrasco, was shot and killed by Texas Ranger Ernest “Diamond Dick” St. Leon six months earlier. Antonio Carrasco was arrested sometime after 1892 for horse stealing in Presidio County and sentenced to five years in prison. He appealed and the case was affirmed on June 8, 1895. There is no evidence at this time that Carrasco was ever charged with the murder of Deputy Pastrano.
Survivors
Pastrano was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
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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
135 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Sheriff Pastrano served with the Presidio County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Marfa community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Toribio Pastrano 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 Presidio County Sheriff's Department, 4 of 4 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. Toribio Pastrano's cause is highlighted.
How Toribio Pastrano Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Toribio Pastrano is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Toribio Pastrano was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Presidio County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
