Agent

Octoniel Torres-Melendez

Puerto Rico Police Department — San Juan, 127
Felonious
End of Watch December 30, 1994
Age 23
Tour of Duty 2 yrs 6 mo
Badge 18246
The Vigil Panel 313 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Agent Octoniel Torres-Melendez was shot and killed while off duty while attempting to help his friend locate a stolen vehicle in the Pedro Ramos community in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico. Four subjects opened fire on Agent Torres-Melendez's vehicle, fatally wounding him. His friend was able to escape uninjured and called police. Four men were arrested the following week but were later released due to a lack of evidence. Agent Torres-Melendez had served with the Puerto Rico Police Department for 2-1/2 years and was assigned to the 382nd West Hato Rey Precinct.

Survivors

He is survived by his parents and fiancee.

In Our Keeping

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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.
Agent Torres-Melendez gave the Puerto Rico Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the San Juan community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Agent Torres-Melendez.

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

Agency

Type Police Department
Location San Juan, 127
Platform Identity prpd.pr.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch December 30, 1994
Tour of Duty 2 yrs 6 mo
Age 23
Badge Number 18246
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Octoniel is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

In 1994, 93 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 59th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Octoniel 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. Octoniel had served 2.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

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

When

December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Fridays: 14.3%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Puerto Rico Police Department has at least 120 officers remembered here, Octoniel among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Agent Octoniel Torres-Melendez

Puerto Rico Police Department · End of Watch December 30, 1994

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 64-W

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