Officials react to SAPD officer fatally shot while conducting traffic stop

SAN ANTONIO – Several local and state elected officials offered condolences and prayers Sunday after learning that a 20-year veteran of the San Antonio Police Department was fatally shot while conducting a traffic stop.

Gov. Greg Abbott released the following statement:

Cecilia and I extend our deepest condolences to the victim's family and harshly condemn this horrific act of violence. We ask that all Texans join us in praying for the officer's loved ones as they deal with the aftermath of this unimaginable tragedy. Attacks against law enforcement officers will not be tolerated in Texas and must be met with swift justice, which is why I look forward to signing my Police Protection Act into law - making targeted attacks against law enforcement a hate crime.

“I want to extend my deepest condolences to the family of the officer killed outside police headquarters today as well as to our entire police force. This type of crime cannot and will not be tolerated. I ask for the community's thoughtfulness and patience as the investigation continues and SAPD searches for the suspect,” Mayor Ivy Taylor said in a statement.

“An SAPD officer lost his life in the line of duty this afternoon. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time,” Councilman Rey A. Saldana wrote on Twitter.

“Prayers for officers and families of SAPD,” Councilman Ron Nirenberg said on Twitter.

State Rep. Diego Bernal also took to Twitter to express his condolences, “Prayers for our fallen officer, their family and SAPD,” he said.

Bexar County Sheriff Susan Pamerleau issued the following statement:

We are saddened by the tragic and senseless death of an SAPD officer, whose life was cut short today while serving our community. This irrational and malicious act which took the life of one who puts his life on the line each day to serve and protect is shocking to all of us.

Our thoughts and prayers are with this officer, his family, and all who serve with him. The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office is actively looking for the suspect and assisting SAPD in the search for this person or persons, and ready to assist in any way.

Police Chief William McManus said right before noon, the officer was writing a ticket in his patrol car when a black Toyota or Nissan pulled up behind it. A man got out of the vehicle and shot the officer twice, once in the head. The officer was taken to San Antonio Military Medical Center, where he died, McManus said.

The shooter was described as a black man around 5 feet 7 inches to 6 feet tall. He was wearing a gray shirt, black pants and was clean-shaven.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 210-224-STOP (7867).

Mike Helle with the Police Officers Association issued the following statement:

First and foremost, our prayers and love are with the family of our fallen officer. We will stand by the officer’s family and support them and their needs during this devastating time. The single worst event any police officer can face is the loss of a brother or sister in the line of duty. Words cannot express how deeply this affects every police officer, not just in San Antonio, but across our country. We are all hurting, but we are all a family and we will stand together, protect each other, and protect our families. We will reserve further comment pending the apprehension of the suspect and follow on investigations.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said:

"We received the sad news today that another Texas police officer has been killed in the line of duty. It appears the officer may have been murdered simply because he was an officer. Jan and I ask you to join us in keeping his family in our prayers.”

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton released the following statement Sunday:

“Texans grieve today, yet again, as a courageous police officer was senselessly murdered in the line of duty in San Antonio. My office will support the San Antonio Police Department however we can now and in the days ahead. Angela and I extend our prayers and deepest sympathy to this officer’s family and to his colleagues in San Antonio and around Texas.”

To the family and friends of SAPD Detective Benjamin Marconi, who tragically lost his life this morning, I offer our deepest condolences. Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone that knew him,” San Antonio Fire Chief Charles Hood said. “The San Antonio Fire Department continues to stand strong in unity with our brothers and sisters in blue. In the wake of this tragedy, all SAFD crews have been advised to maintain a heightened state of awareness as we continue to serve our community.”