Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Rogelio Santander succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained the previous day while he and two other officers attempted to arrest a shoplifting suspect at a Home Depot store at 11682 Forest Central Drive.
An off-duty officer working overtime at the store and the store's loss prevention officer had detained a subject who attempted to shoplift in the store. During the investigation, it was determined the man had an outstanding felony warrant, and the off-duty officer requested additional units. Officer Santander and another officer arrived at the store and remained with the subject in the loss prevention office as the off-duty officer confirmed the warrant.
As Officer Santander and the other officer attempted to place the man in custody, he drew a handgun from his pocket and shot both officers and the loss prevention officer, critically wounding all three. The man fled the scene but was located later in the day following a vehicle pursuit.
Both wounded police officers and the loss prevention officer were transported to a local hospital where Officer Santander succumbed to his wounds the following morning.
The subject agreed to a plea deal to avoid the death penalty. He was sentenced to life without parole.
Officer Santander had served with the Dallas Police Department for three years.
Survivors
He is survived by his father, mother, brother, grandfather, and girlfriend.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-63B40C7D- 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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Santander gave the Dallas Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Dallas community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Santander.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Rogelio Santander, 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 Dallas Police Department, 55 of 95 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Rogelio Santander, Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Rogelio Santander, Jr. Compares
Offender Outcome
Life without parole
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Rogelio Santander, Jr. is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Rogelio Santander, Jr. was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
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