By Karen Gleason
The 830 Times
Five sheriff’s deputies and two police officers who died in the line of duty were honored and remembered today during a ceremony that featured the unveiling of a new monument.
The 2026 Fallen Officer Memorial Ceremony was hosted by the Val Verde Sheriff’s Office and the Del Rio Police Department outside the sheriff’s office.
VVSO Chief Deputy Gina Garcia and DRPD Sgt. Jesus Emilio Galindo welcomed those attending the ceremony and introduced the DRPD/VVSO Honor Guard, who presented the colors, and Lorelai Morales, the San Felipe Del Rio Consolidated Independent School District student who performed the National Anthem.
After the VVSO/DRPD Academy cadets led the audience in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, VVSO Chief Deputy Enrique Trevino offered the invocation.
Garcia introduced Sheriff Joe Frank Martinez.
Martinez said, “Today we pay tribute to the men and women of law enforcement who serve our community. We also gather to honor the men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice, and we want to recognize the families of these officers, for they too have made a sacrifice.”
The sheriff said since 1786, there have been 24,775 men and women who have lost their lives in the line of duty. He said during a candlelight vigil Wednesday day, 365 names were added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C.
Martinez said, “The Val Verde Sheriff’s Office has lost five men and the Del Rio Police Department has lost two men. Today, I have the honor to unveil this memorial, paying tribute to the five deputies who lost their lives in the line of duty while serving the citizens of Val Verde County. We can rest assured their sacrifice will never be forgotten.”
The sheriff paused as VVSO Lt. James Sunderland Jr. and VVSO Sgt. Nathan Sanchez carefully removed the United States flag draped over the black granite monument at the front of the sheriff’s office and formally folded the flag. Sunderland, whose father, VVSO Lt. James Sunderland Sr., is one of the five deputies whose names is engraved on the monument, then carried the folded flag and place it on a table displaying the five deputies’ photos.
Martinez read the names of the five deputies and two police officers who died in the line of duty.
The sheriff acknowledged “those who helped make this day possible.” He thanked County Judge Lewis G. Owens Jr., Val Verde County Commissioners Court, Commissioner Pct. 2 Juan Carlos Vazquez, Commissioner Pct. 3 Fernando Garcia, the Precinct 2 and Precinct 3 work crews, the county maintenance crew, County Engineer Carlos Velarde and the Val Verde Sheriff’s Office Cadet Class of 2026/Alpha.
Martinez also thanked Rick Robles of Sunset Memorial Funeral Home, Raul Galindo, maintenance supervisor of the GEO Group; the GEO Group; Arnaldo Ramos of Signs Now, Billy Whaley of B&J Tractor Service, Pat Marion and Adam Skiles of Recana and County Attorney David Martinez.
“I also want to recognize our federal, state and local partners whose officers help keep our community safe. Thank you for your partnership and thank you for what you do,” Martinez said.
The sheriff said the more work will be done on the memorial plaza and reserved a special thank you to Crystal Denney, the sheriff’s office employee who worked tirelessly to help make the project a reality.
Galindo introduced DRPD Cpl. Dulce Gonzalez, who said, “Today we are here as one united family, bound together by honor and remembrance. Every day, law enforcement officers put on their uniforms and face uncertainty, yet we continue to answer the call to protect others, stand against danger, and serve, even when the cost may be great.
“The officers we honor today gave more than their time and dedication. They gave their lives in service. These heroes were more than officers, beyond the uniform they were parents, children, spouses, friends and partners. They shared laughter, dreams and memories with those who loved them most.
“Although their watch ended too soon, their legacy lives in every officer who continues to serve with integrity, in every life that was made safer and in every act of courage inspired by their example. To their families here today: Your loved ones will never be forgotten. Their names are etched not only in memorials, but in the hearts of those they served every day.
“As we honor them today, let us remember our responsibility to support those who continue to wear the uniform and to carry forward the values of our fallen officers and the ones that they stood for: Integrity, courage and compassion. May we continue to speak their names, honor their memories and support those who continue the mission that they so proudly carried. Thank you and may God bless our fallen heroes, their families and all those who currently serve,” Gonzalez finished.
Galindo introduced the “end of watch” announcements, a ceremony in which the fallen officer’s name and the date of his death – the end of his watch – is broadcast over law enforcement radios.
The ceremony ended with a moving rendition of “Taps,” performed by San Felipe Del Rio Consolidated Independent School District students Frank Owens and Frida Olmos and a benediction offered by Deacon Robert Sanchez.
Garcia again thanked everyone for attending and invited everyone to stay for light refreshments.
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