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Incident
Deputy Luis Garza and his wife, Elida, were shot and killed after being abducted by a suspect. Deputy Garza's wife was riding with him when he pulled over a vehicle for a traffic violation. The driver was actually en route to rob a bank in a nearby town. He abducted Deputy Garza at gunpoint and forced him to drive his patrol car, as his wife followed in the suspect's car, to an abandoned farmhouse. Once at the farmhouse the suspect handcuffed Deputy Garza and his wife together and then shot them both. The suspect, a 28-year-old ex-convict was apprehended later that day by a state trooper on Interstate 35 in Medina County. Later that same day FBI agents arrested two men, 22 and 33, for conspiring to rob a bank with the suspect in Cotulla. On May 9, 1974, the suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to death. On March 23, 1983, his sentence was commuted to 99 years. Deputy Garza had served with the agency for only five months.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Garza served with the Atascosa County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Jourdanton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Garza.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Atascosa County Sheriff's Department has lost 7 officers; 7 of them killed feloniously.
Luis is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Luis is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Luis is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1973, 1 officer at Atascosa County Sheriff's Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 6 years on record. The heaviest was 1999, with 2.
In 1973, 19 officers in TX were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1973, 171 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 17th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1973, 188 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 17th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Luis was 32. Of the 7 killed feloniously at Atascosa County Sheriff's Department whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 39.5; the middle age was 32. Luis had served 0.4 years; the middle length of service was 3.5 years.
Luis was 32. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Luis had served 0.4 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Luis was 32. 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. Luis had served 0.4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Luis was 32. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Luis had served 0.4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 14.3% of these deaths at Atascosa County Sheriff's Department; October holds the most, 28.6%. Thursdays: 14.3%.
July holds 9.4% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 7 deaths at Atascosa County Sheriff's Department. The weapon recorded was gun, in 14.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 14.2% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Atascosa County Sheriff's Department has 7 officers remembered here, Luis among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 34-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Atascosa County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
