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Incident
Sergeant Noel Cordero-Guzmán was shot and killed with his own weapon after intervening in a disturbance while off duty.
He was at a local fast food restaurant with friends when he observed a group of people creating a disturbance. Sergeant Cordero-Guzmán had a previous encounter with one of the men causing the disturbance. After identifying himself to the group he was attacked and beaten. One of the suspects then grabbed Sergeant Cordero-Guzmán's service weapon and shot him in the chest, killing him.
The 17-year-old shooter was charged as an adult with first-degree murder, attempted murder, and weapons violations. He was sentenced to 109 years in prison.
Sergeant Cordero-Guzmán had served with the Ponce Municipal Police Department for two years.
Survivors
He is survived by his expectant wife and 5-year-old child.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sergeant Cordero-Guzmán gave the Ponce Municipal Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Ponce community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Cordero-Guzmán.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Ponce Municipal Police Department has lost 3 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Noel is one of 1 officer killed feloniously in 113, 33.3% of the 3 remembered there.
Noel is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Noel is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2010, 80 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 84th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2010, 85 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 80th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Noel was 23. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Noel had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Noel was 23. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Noel had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 33.3% of all 3 deaths at Ponce Municipal Police Department, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 33.3% of all 3 deaths in 113, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
His people
Ponce Municipal Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Noel among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 18-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Ponce Municipal Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
