Patrolman Fulgencio Velasco III, 26, was shot and killed on December 16, 1978, while on duty with the Mission Police Department in Texas. He and a partner answered a domestic disturbance at a small restaurant; as they entered through the back door they were met with gunfire. Velasco was struck several times but returned fire, killing the primary aggressor. He was taken to a local hospital and died of his wounds.

Velasco had been on the force for two months. His partner shot and wounded a second suspect who reportedly tried to retrieve the dead man’s weapon and that suspect was later apprehended and treated for his injuries. Velasco was survived by his wife, Linda Velasco, and their daughter, Sandra Velasco.

The death was treated as a line-of-duty death and Velasco was honored by the department and community.