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Joseph J. Pedraza
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Officer

Joseph J. Pedraza

San Antonio Police Department — San Antonio, TX
Accident
United States flag Texas flag
End of Watch October 7, 1924
Age 44
The Vigil Panel 48 ›
Gender Male
Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 63

Incident

Officer Joseph Pedraza and a military police officer were dispatched to the 500 block of East Commerce Street to a dance hall to investigate a disturbance. During the course of the investigation the military police officer fired a bullet that killed Officer Pedraza. There were conflicting reports of the shooting from eyewitnesses. Some who saw the incident claim that the MP had fired his pistol when he drew the gun from his holster and wheeled around suddenly. Others said that he fired a shot at the ground. Some, however, alleged that he had fired the gun straight at Officer Pedraza. One witness testified that the MP had been frightened by the men at the dance and had fired a shot into the pavement in the hope of dispelling the crowd. A policeman carefully examined the pavement and could find no evidence of a ricocheted bullet imprint. Physicians later dispelled the allegation that the bullet had ricocheted off the pavement and hit Officer Pedraza, citing the fact that the bullet's path of entry was not consistent with that scenario. The MP was arrested and charged with murder. It is unknown if he was ever convicted. Officer Pedraza died while en route to Santa Rosa Hospital. He was survived by his wife and six children. He was buried at the San Fernando Cemetery Number 2. He had served on the police force since 1912. His wife was ill and they had an unnamed new born when he was killed. Soldiers at Fort Sam Houston raised $1,500 to pay off her mortgage and all debts.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and six children.

In Our Keeping

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August 2, 2026

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Officer Pedraza served with the San Antonio Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the San Antonio community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Pedraza.

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

Agency

Department San Antonio Police Department
Type Other
Location San Antonio, Bexar County, TX
Platform Identity sapd.bexar.tx.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch October 7, 1924
Age 44
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Accident

The Sacrifice · Accident

Joseph is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.

33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

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Compare against
I

Time

In 1924, 86 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 18th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Joseph was 44. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

October holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

San Antonio Police Department has 64 officers remembered here, Joseph among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Officer Joseph J. Pedraza

San Antonio Police Department · End of Watch October 7, 1924

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 59-W

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