Cause of Death: Gunfire/Head-On Vehicular  Crash
End of Watch: January 17, 1980
Date of Incident: January 17, 1980
Age: 25
Badge Number: 208
Tour of Duty: 1 year
Suspect Info: Charged with Manslaughter and Capital Murder
Weapon Used: Multiple Handguns

During the afternoon of January 17, 1980, Patrol Officer Alfredo Araiza  was working stationary radar in the 13200 block of IH 35 North at which time he clocked a white sedan speeding over the posted speed limit.   Officer Araiza gave pursuit and attempted to pull over the vehicle in question at which time the vehicle increased speed in excess of 100 mph and attempted to allude capture.  Officer Araiza radioed dispatch that he was in pursuit of this vehicle traveling westbound on FM Loop 1604.  Officer Araiza reported via radio that he was being shot at by a passenger in the vehicle and requested assistance.  Shortly thereafter, radio contact was lost with Officer Araiza.  It was determined that Officer Araiza had lost control of his marked patrol unit as a result of being shot at by the defendants.  Within minutes it was discovered that Officer Araiza  had driven his patrol vehicle into the path of an on coming 18 wheeled gravel truck.  The firey collision instantly killed Officer Araiza and injured the driver of the on-coming rig.  The fleeing suspects, Robert and Richard Graham of Bulverde, Texas were apprehended later that afternoon and charged with felony possession of methamphetamine and Capital Murder of a Police Officer.  Officer Araiza was survived by his wife.