Emotional Lanier head football coach reflects on SAPD Officers Moreno, Cavazos

SAN ANTONIO – Slain San Antonio Police Officer Miguel Moreno and wounded Officer Julio Cavazos were both offensive linemen for the Lanier High School football team.

They did not play together at Lanier but in the worst moment of their lives, they were teammates and there for one another. 

“Here were two guys who went to the same high school and were in the same patrol car,” said Don Gaitan, Lanier head football coach. “They learned in the community and learned playing football here, you need to support, you need to help your teammate.” 

Gaitan has been the the Voks head coach and part of the West Side community for more than 20 years.

He was stunned and heartbroken to hear the news of two of his former players being shot in the line of duty last Thursday.

Gaitan was not surprised, however, to hear that Cavazos put his own life in danger to pull Moreno from the line of fire. Moreno died a day after the shooting while Cavazos continues to recover from his wounds.

Many of Gaitan’s former players have become police officers. He often invites them to speak to the team in an effort to get the young men in the neighborhood to think beyond high school, and to prove they can become productive and successful citizens as the two officers had done.

Gaitan knows the community will rally around one another and help the officers' families and friends. 

“The one thing about Lanier, the graduating classes are tight. Brothers and sisters, that’s how they treat each other,” Gaitan said. "This community will come together on this. I’m fortunate that I’ve coached in this school, going on 24 years, and I’ve got to see this community how they can unite behind something.”

In many neighborhoods across Texas, Friday night football is an event that brings families and people together. Those bonds can last a lifetime, both on and off the field.

Gaitan gets emotional when discussing Moreno and Cavazos. He said they overachieved at Lanier High School, and he knew they would go on to make something of themselves after graduation. 

“I’ve already talked to a lot of the exes and it’s eating them up inside,” Gaitan said. "For this to happen is unbelievable. Speaking not only for myself, but for my coaching staff, our hearts and prayers go out to the families.”

Gaitan said he plans to have his players wear a decal with Moreno’s number on it on the back of their helmets this season.

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The Lanier football team does not retire jerseys, but Gaitan said as long as he is head coach or at the West Side school, no other Voks player will wear Moreno’s number on their jersey. 

Choking back tears, Gaitan says the West Side community will be there for the families through the grieving process and beyond.

"We're here to support both families. Their sons, brother or husband paid the ultimate price protecting this city,” Gaitan said. “Among the Lanier family and SAPD, he (Moreno) will never be forgotten."

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