James Saavedra, 40, died on December 19, 2007, at a Port of Corpus Christi shooting range on the 4000 block of Rincon Road. He and another range master were sighting in a rifle at a distance of about two feet when a round penetrated Saavedra’s bullet-resistant vest. He was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead about an hour later.

Saavedra had been a Port of Corpus Christi police officer for four years and previously served with the Corpus Christi Independent School District Police Department and the Nueces County Constable’s Office. The officer involved, Eric Giannamore, was also a qualified range master and experienced firearms instructor and was placed on administrative leave with pay while the Corpus Christi Police Department investigated. The death was ruled an accidental discharge and no criminal charges were filed.

Saavedra is survived by his wife, two daughters, a son, his parents, and a brother. Does anyone have information about the training or range procedures in use that day?