On this date (April 25) 2018 a father and mother lost a son, his brother lost a brother, a large extended family lost a cousin, nephew and grandson, Texas A&M University at Commerce lost a graduate with a Criminal Justice Degree, the Commerce (Texas) Police Department lost a prior intern and Dallas lost a Police Officer.
Police Officer Rogelio Santander Jr., Badge Number 10934, age 27, died at Presbyterian Dallas Hospital as a result of gunshot wounds received the previous day.
Officer Santander and his partner Crystal Almedia responded to a radio call regarding a theft (shoplift) suspect at the Home Depot located at 11682 Forest Central Drive.
Arriving at approximately 4:04 p.m. they were informed by an off duty officer and a lost prevention employee that Armando Juarez, age 29, was suspected of shoplifting and the off duty officer also advised the suspect had outstanding felony warrants.
The off duty officer departed the area to confirm the warrants at which time Officers Santander and Almedia began to handcuff the suspect.
At this time the suspect pulled a handgun from either his pocket or waistband and fired striking both officers Santander and Almedia as well as Lost Prevention Employee Scott Painter.
As other employees and customers began fleeing the area, the suspect was able to escape using the crowd as a deterrent. It was first thought the the suspect had fled to the rear of the building, a perimeter was established and searched. A witness then furnished information disclosing the suspect fled in a white pickup truck.
Both Officers Santander and Almedia and Lost Prevention Employee Painter were transported to Presbyterian Dallas Hospital, all admitted in critical condition. Officer Santander died as a result of his injuries the following day. After a lengthily hospitalization and surgeries, Officer Almedia and Painter recovered.
Using the furnished description of the suspect and suspect vehicle he was observed in the area of Inwood Road and West Mockingbird Lane. A high speed pursuit began and terminated when the suspect entered South Versailles Drive at a high rate of speed, colliding with a parked vehicle and a fence. He was then taken into custody.
Suspect Armando Juarez was charged with Capital Murder, Attempt Capital Murder, Aggravated Assault (Deadly Weapon), Felony Theft and charges resulting from the before mentioned felony warrants.
To avoid the death penalty, Suspect Juarez pleaded guilty to all charges and received a Life Sentence with no possibly of parole.
Police Officer Rogelio Santander Jr. a three year veteran of the Dallas Police Department is interred at Restland Memorial Park Cemetery, Dallas, Texas in the Garden of Honor Section.