Press Releases

On May 12, 2014, at approximately 11:15 p.m., Sector 1 Patrolman C. Schneider conducted a traffic stop on a 1999 Ford Mustang in the area of E. 32 and Travis Street for expired registration.

When Officer Schneider approached the driver's side door of the Mustang, he smelled the odor of marijuana coming from inside and assisting Officer T. Lopez observed marijuana in plain view upon his approach to the passenger side.

The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle, Michael A. Meza (DOB 02-09-80) of San Angelo, was placed under arrest.  A records search for Meza showed he had an outstanding Blue Warrant for Parole Violation.

During a search of the vehicle, officers located 2 handguns and a rifle, various ammunition, drug paraphernalia, and approximately 14 ounces of marijuana.  It was also discovered that the expired registration sticker was registered to a different vehicle. 

Meza was transported to the Tom Green County Jail and charged with Displaying Wrong Fictitious Registration, Parole Violation, State Jail Felony Possession of Marijuana, and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Felon.      

***SAPD***

Recently, three members from the San Angelo Police Department's Pistol Team traveled to Charleston, South Carolina to compete in the 2014 Palmetto State Pistol Match. 

This year's match was comprised of sixty officers from around the nation, including South Carolina, North Carolina, Texas, New York, and Florida. 

Officers Brandon Farris, Brian Gesch and Sergeant Rusty Herndon received first place accolades in following categories: 

Brandon Farris

1st Place Classified Class

Distinguished semi- auto

1500 semi-auto

Off-duty

Service revolver

Dist revolver

1500 revolver

1500 aggregate (Combined scores from 1500 Revolver and Semi-Auto)

Grand aggregate (Combined scores from all matches)

Brian Gesch

1st Place

Grand aggregate sharpshooter.

Off-duty match marksman.

Stock semi auto marksman.

Rusty Herndon

1st Place

1500 Semi-auto Marksman class

1500 Aggregate (Combined 1500 Revolver and Semi-auto) Sharpshooter class

Team members raised the competition's entry fees and travel expenses through various fundraising events.  Several more fundraisers have been planned as the Team gears up to compete in the National Police Shooting Championship scheduled for September of this year in Albuquerque, New Mexico.   For information on the upcoming event, contact Sgt. Rusty Herndon at 325-657-4342.

[Photo left to right: Stu Snowden, Randy Hanson, David Lahah, Rusty Herndon, Brian Gesch, and Brandon Farris.  Snowden, Hanson and Lahah, additional first place winners from the match, work for the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision]

***SAPD***

San Angelo Police were called to investigate two separate fatality crashes late last night and early this morning.

Just before midnight last night, May 10, 2014, San Angelo Police were dispatched to the 1400 block of S. Abe Street for the report of a major crash involving a vehicle and pedestrian.  Upon arrival, officers located the pedestrian who appeared to be suffering from life-threatening injuries. 

The man, who was not carrying identification at the time of the incident, was transported to Shannon Medical Center by ambulance for treatment.  Technicians with the SAPD's Crime Scene Investigations Unit were eventually able to verify the victim's identity through fingerprint analysis.  55-year-old San Angelo resident Ruben Holguin later succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased by hospital physicians at approximately 12:38 a.m. this morning. 

The crash investigation indicates Holguin was attempting to cross S. Abe Street from east to west near Avenue J when he was struck by a 2004 Toyota 4Runner that was traveling southbound on S. Abe Street.  The driver, a 55-year-old San Angelo resident, was not injured in the crash.    

Just after 1:00 a.m. this morning, officers responded to the 4100 block of W. Loop 306 for the report of a major crash involving a motorcycle.  Upon arrival, officers located the motorcycle's male operator, deceased.  He was pronounced dead at the scene by Justice of the Peace, Kay Longest and identified as 36-year-old San Angelo resident, Christopher Perez. 

A preliminary crash investigation indicates Perez was traveling on the loop near the Desert Shadows Apartments when he lost control of his 2001 Harley Davidson motorcycle, causing it to leave the roadway and collide with a guardrail.  Perez was ejected from the motorcycle, which continued to travel across Loop 306 and between the medians before coming to rest near the Lowe's Home Improvement store.  Speed was determined to be the contributing factor in the crash.  Police were unable to locate a helmet at the crash site.    

Both crashes were investigated by the Department's on-call Motors Officers with assistance from Patrol and CSI.  Oncoming traffic was closed at both crash sites for several hours to allow for the investigations.   

There is no further information at this time.     

***SAPD***

National Police Week 2014: Sunday, May 11 through Saturday, May 17.

In 1962, President Kennedy proclaimed May 15th as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week in which May 15th falls, as National Police Week.

Established by a joint resolution of Congress in 1962, National Police Week pays special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others.

On Monday, May 12, the San Angelo Police Department will host a flag raising ceremony at the Police Department.  The ceremony is open to the public and is set to begin at 10:00 a.m.  This is a wonderful way for members of the public to join with us in honoring the memory of the 39 officers who were killed in the line of duty this year as well as the 105 who were killed in 2013. 

2014 Nationwide Line of Duty Deaths: 39

Texas: 1

Assault: 1

Automobile accident: 10

Fire: 1

Gunfire: 14

Gunfire (Accidental): 1

Heart attack: 3

Motorcycle accident: 2

Struck by vehicle: 1

Vehicle pursuit: 2

Vehicular assault: 4

K9 Line of Duty Deaths: 7

Automobile accident: 1

Fall: 1

Gunfire: 3

Stabbed: 1

Struck by vehicle: 1