Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Val Lopez succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained on February 17, 1977, after he responded to about an armed man at a bar.
He was initially the cover officer but was closer, so he reached the scene first. According to witnesses, as soon as Patrolman Lopez entered the bar, the subject began to shoot. Patrolman Lopez was shot twice; once in his abdomen and the other hit his badge first before striking his chest.
The subject was arrested, charged, and convicted of an attempt to commit capital murder. He was sentenced to life in prison and has since died.
While Patrolman Lopez eventually returned to duty and served another 29 years, he never fully recovered from the wound to his abdomen. He developed complications during surgery and died on June 21, 2006.
Patrolman Lopez had served with the San Antonio Police Department for 31 years. He is survived by his wife and two daughters. He was buried in the Mission Park South Cemetery in San Antonio.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-4E6A87D0- 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
31 years. You could have gone home.
Patrolman Lopez gave the San Antonio Police Department 31 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the San Antonio community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Lopez.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Valentine D. "Val" Lopez, 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 San Antonio Police Dept., 40 of 64 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 62.5% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Valentine D. "Val" Lopez, Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Valentine D. "Val" Lopez, Jr. Compares
Offender Outcome
Died in prison
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Valentine D. "Val" Lopez, Jr. is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Valentine D. "Val" Lopez, Jr. was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
63 officers from San Antonio Police Dept. are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
