End of Watch: Officer Justin Putnam: Wounded, Officer Franco Stewart and Officer Justin Mueller.
The deceased is Officer Justin Putnam who came to San Marcos from Austin. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from Texas State University. He had been a member of SMPD since November 3, 2014 and, like his peers in the department, was chosen because he exemplified the ability to serve in a wonderfully diverse community. Putnam was engaged to be married. His father is a veteran of the Austin Fire Department.
Texas has lost 16 officers this year.
The officers wounded in the incident are Officer Franco Stewart and Officer Justin Mueller. Stewart came to SMPD on December 3, 2019 after serving with the McAllen Police Department for two and a half years and briefly serving with the U.S. Border Patrol before returning to street patrol. Mueller joined SMPD as a telecommunications operator in 2007 and rose through those ranks to become a supervisor. He started his service as a Licensed Police Officer on June 7, 2019. He has worked remarkably to attain his dream of becoming of police officer. Both officers are in critical but stable condition in the ICU at Ascension Seton Hays in Kyle.
Jose Alfredo Perez DeLaCruz. Courtesy Photo Police Department.
The Texas Rangers positively identified Jose Alfredo Perez DeLaCruz as the person who shot and killed San Marcos Police Department Officer Justin Putnam and injured officers Franco Stewart and Justin Mueller. Report at SanMarcosRecord
Officer Putnam’s Memorial
Officer Putnam’s vehicle parked at City Hall, 630 East Hopkins Street, near the police and firefighter statues along Hopkins Street. Members of the public may leave memorials for his family and SMPD around the vehicle.
SMPD Officer Struck by Vehicle While Exiting Patrol Car on IH-35
All lanes of IH-35 northbound around Exit 205 B were shut down this afternoon following a major accident involving a police officer, according to the San Marcos Police Department (SMPD).
Interim Police Chief Bob Klett said SMPD Officer Paul Beller was dispatched at 1:30 p.m. to the area for a call of lumber in the roadway. “As he exited his patrol car, Officer Beller was struck by a passenger car,” Klett said.
He added that the officer was transported via ambulance to a trauma facility in the region and was undergoing surgery as of about 4:30 p.m.
Klett said, “We have no updates on his condition at this time, but our entire SMPD and City family hopes and prays for the best possible outcome. We stand ready to support him and his family through this difficult recovery.”
He reminds all drivers to use extreme caution and yield when they see first responders on the scene of an accident or other incident.
“Texas law compels drivers to reduce their speed to 20 miles below the posted limit or move into another lane when there is a law enforcement or first responder vehicle along the side of the road,” Klett said. “We want to do everything we can to keep our first responders and other drivers safe.”
The interstate was reopened to traffic at approximately 5:41 p.m. The Texas Department of Public Safety continues to investigate the crash.
Chaplain II Akbar Shabazz died after contracting COVID-19 while supervising inmates at the Wynne Unit in Huntsville, Texas.
Chaplain Shabazz had served with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for 48 years. He is survived by his wife and five children.
PLEASE VISIT Officer Down Memorial Page here for reports on all 73 fallen officers in 2020, including 16 who died in Texas