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Monument erected for fallen SAPD officer

Richard M. Cuellar park features new renovations

SAN ANTONIO – The memory of fallen San Antonio Police Officer Richard M. Cuellar has lived on with the name of the West San Antonio park on San Fernando Street since 1975.

Now there's a new monument in his honor at the newly renovated park.

On Tuesday morning, San Antonio police officers and family members gathered at the monument for a dedication ceremony.

It was a bittersweet moment for Yolanda Cuellar, wife of the fallen officer.

"It makes me happy because this park contains everything that my husband enjoyed doing," she said.

Cuellar was shot and killed by teenage boy in 1968. The 13-year-old boy was attempting to escape from custody when he shot Cuellar. The teen was also shot dead by another officer at the scene.

At the time, Cuellar's daughter was not yet two years old, and his wife was pregnant with his son.

"It still hurts because I always thought I'd grow old with him and my children didn't get to know him at all," said Yolanda Cuellar.

The children are adults now. Their son followed in his fathers footsteps and became an SAPD officer.

"It was just something I always wanted to do," said Richard Cuellar Jr. "Some people tell me it had something to do with him but I just don't remember not wanting to be a policeman."

Cuellar Jr. now has a son of his own. After the dedication ceremony, he enjoyed the park and the renovations that recently took place.

Some $125,000 in Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funds were used to install the limestone monument, a lighted park sign, memorial plaque and flag poles in a min-plaza seating area.

Another $400,000 from the Parks and Recreation Department's Fiscal year 2011 Maintenance Fund was used for new parking, driveways, lighting, sidewalks, American Disabilities Act (ADA) improvements, drinking fountains, benches, trashcans and landscaping.

Volunteers with the San Antonio Police Officers Association installed a children's playground.

The family said the park atmosphere is the perfect way to keep Cuellar's memory alive.

"He played every sport that is represented in this park and he always wanted to do something for the underprivileged," said Yolanda Cuellar.

Cuellar's daughter, Rebecca Cuellar, said, "Not only did he do something good while he was alive, but because of his memory, other good things are happening."


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