Incident
Officer Wilfredo Sánchez-Santiago was killed after his police motorcycle was struck from behind, while he was stopped at a stoplight.
The driver of the vehicle which struck him had fallen asleep.
Officer Sánchez-Santiago had served with the San Juan Municipal Police Department for 21 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, two sons, and a daughter.
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
21 years. You could have gone home.
Police Officer Sánchez-Santiago gave the San Juan Police Department 21 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the San Juan community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Sánchez-Santiago.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
San Juan Police Department has lost 8 officers; 6 of them lost to accidents.
Wilfredo is one of 85 officers lost to accidents in 127, 21.9% of the 388 remembered there.
Wilfredo is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Wilfredo 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 2000, 1 officer at San Juan Police Department was lost to accidents, the 2nd heaviest of 5 years on record. The heaviest was 2003, with 2.
In 2000, 2 officers in 127 were lost to accidents, the 9th heaviest of 52 years on record. The heaviest was 1975, with 4.
In 2000, 85 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 19th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2000, 91 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 35th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Wilfredo was 43. Of the 4 lost to accidents at San Juan Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 30.3 and 41.5; the middle age was 36. Wilfredo had served 21 years; the middle length of service was 14.5 years.
Wilfredo was 43. Of the 79 lost to accidents in 127 whose age is recorded, half were between 29.5 and 45; the middle age was 36. Wilfredo had served 21 years; the middle length of service was 12 years.
Wilfredo was 43. 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. Wilfredo had served 21 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Wilfredo was 43. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Wilfredo had served 21 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 33.3% of these deaths at San Juan Police Department; April holds the most, 50%. Fridays: 16.7%.
January holds 9.4% of these deaths in 127; October holds the most, 12.9%. Fridays: 8.2%.
January holds 7.7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 15.1%.
January holds 8.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15%.
How
Accident deaths account for 75% of all 8 deaths at San Juan Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 21.9% of all 388 deaths in 127, 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 Juan Police Department has 8 officers remembered here, Wilfredo among them.
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Wilfredo Sánchez-Santiago
Jan 28, 2000
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Miguel Angel Sanchez-Febo Jan 11, 2002
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Victor De Pedro-Fernandez
Apr 6, 2002
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Benedicto Rosado-Trinidad
Jan 23, 2003
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Angel Gonzalez-Fontanez
Apr 20, 2003
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Carlos R. Lozada-Vergara Apr 1, 2009
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Edwin Omar Roman-Acevedo
Nov 26, 2014
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Joel Alexis Pantojas-Fuentes
May 6, 2018
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 16-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from San Juan Police Department are honored on badge.nw.




