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Incident
Park Ranger Paul Pytel drowned in Salado Creek while chasing a gang-related shooting suspect through Martin Luther King Park. He and another park ranger heard the shooting and chased two suspects into the park while calling for backup. A San Antonio police officer arrived on the scene and was taking the two suspects into custody on one side of the creek when Ranger Pytel either jumped or fell into the creek on the other side. Six other officers jumped into the creek in an attempt to save him when he failed to resurface. The two subjects were charged in connection with Park Ranger Pytel's death under the state's Calderon Law, which was enacted following the death of Patrolman Patricia Calderon, who drowned in the same creek while chasing a suspect on December 27th, 1988. Ranger Pytel had served with the San Antonio Park Police Department for nine years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, parents, sister, and two brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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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.
Park Ranger Pytel gave the San Antonio Park Police Department 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the San Antonio community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Park Ranger Pytel.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
San Antonio Park Police Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Paul is one of 657 officers lost to accidents in TX, 27.1% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Paul is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Paul is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1994, 14 officers in TX were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1994, 81 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 26th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1994, 105 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 15th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Paul was 29. Of the 626 lost to accidents in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 46; the middle age was 36. Paul had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Paul was 29. 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. Paul had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Paul was 29. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Paul had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 7.5% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 11.7%. Sundays: 12.6%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 14%.
July holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Sundays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at San Antonio Park Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 27.1% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
San Antonio Park Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Paul among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 21-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from San Antonio Park Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
