SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 506
WHEREAS, Members of Atascosa County law enforcement
agencies demonstrated tremendous courage in the line of duty on
June 2, 2022, when they risked their lives to stop an escaped
prisoner and suspected murderer from fleeing the country; and
WHEREAS, The suspect was accused of killing a family of
five in Centerville after he escaped from a prison transport
bus on May 12; when Atascosa County Sheriff David Soward
received word that the suspect could be headed to the area in
an apparent attempt to reach the U.S.-Mexico border, he
quickly mobilized his deputies for a large-scale manhunt,
which involved constables and officers from the Pleasanton,
Jourdanton, Poteet, and Lytle Police Departments, as well as
DPS troopers and U.S. Marshals; and
WHEREAS, Officers from these various agencies were posted
at all highways and major roads headed south, and just before 10
p.m., Atascosa County Animal Control chief Henry Dominguez
reported that he and a deputy sheriff had sighted the suspect,
who was driving a stolen pickup truck and was armed with an
AR-15-style rifle and a pistol; Officer Dominguez was instructed
to follow the suspect, while other personnel drove ahead of the
fleeing suspect to intercept him and deployed spikes in his path
to puncture the vehicle's tires; and
WHEREAS, Before reaching the edge of Jourdanton,
Jourdanton Police Chief Eric Kaiser successfully spiked all four
of the vehicle's tires as the suspect attempted to evade law
enforcement by driving into a field; the suspect fired his rifle
at oncoming deputies before losing control of his vehicle and
crashing into a utility pole and then a fence; after exiting the
vehicle with a rifle in hand, the suspect was shot and killed,
bringing his 22-day crime spree to an end; and
WHEREAS, The exceptional bravery displayed by the Atascosa
County law enforcement officers was met with an outpouring of
gratitude from the community, and Sheriff Soward awarded
commendations to 14 officers; and
WHEREAS, The members of the Atascosa County law
enforcement agencies went to heroic lengths to protect their
community and prevent further violence, and in so doing, they
exemplified the highest ideals of their profession; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 88th
Legislature, hereby commend the officers in Atascosa County for
their role in stopping an escaped convict and suspected murderer
and extend to them sincere appreciation for their dedicated
service; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be
prepared for the law enforcement units across Atascosa County as
an expression of high regard from the Texas Senate.
Flores
Alvarado Hinojosa Nichols Alvarado Hinojosa Nichols
Alvarado Hinojosa Nichols
Bettencourt Huffman Parker Bettencourt Huffman Parker
Bettencourt Huffman Parker
Birdwell Hughes Paxton Birdwell Hughes Paxton
Birdwell Hughes Paxton
Blanco Johnson Perry Blanco Johnson Perry
Blanco Johnson Perry
Campbell King Schwertner Campbell King Schwertner
Campbell King Schwertner
Creighton Kolkhorst Sparks Creighton Kolkhorst Sparks
Creighton Kolkhorst Sparks
Eckhardt LaMantia Springer Eckhardt LaMantia Springer
Eckhardt LaMantia Springer
Gutierrez Menéndez West Gutierrez Menéndez West
Gutierrez Menéndez West
Hall Middleton Whitmire Hall Middleton Whitmire
Hall Middleton Whitmire
Hancock Miles Zaffirini Hancock Miles Zaffirini
Hancock Miles Zaffirini
Patrick, President of the Senate
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on May 12, 2023.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate
Alvarado Hinojosa Nichols
Bettencourt Huffman Parker
Birdwell Hughes Paxton
Blanco Johnson Perry
Campbell King Schwertner
Creighton Kolkhorst Sparks
Eckhardt LaMantia Springer
Gutierrez Menéndez West
Hall Middleton Whitmire
Hancock Miles Zaffirini