Patrolman Richard M. CUELLAR
San Antonio Police Department, TX

Cause of Death: Gunfire
End of Watch: August 2, 1968
Date of Incident: August 2, 1968
Age: 37
Badge Number: 612
Tour of Duty: 11 years
Suspect Info: Juvenile – shot and killed
Weapon Used: small German-made pistol; unknown caliber

The Officer Down Memorial Page, Inc.
Officer Richard Cuellar was returning three youths to the juvenile bureau when he was shot by a youth trying to escape.  As Officer Cuellar was arriving in the police parking lot, he met another officer who was also bringing in juvenile burglary suspects to be placed in the jail.  One of the juvenile suspects produced a German-made pistol as he jumped from the patrol car in an attempt to escape.  The suspect ran into Officer Cuellar, who was attempting to block his path.  The juvenile pulled the trigger five times with four successive misfires before the fatal bullet hit Officer Cuellar's heart.  Both officers returned fire.  The suspect also died from gunshot wounds.

Officer Cuellar was survived by his wife, son and daughter.