Duty Death: Erasmo García-Torres - [Ponce]
End of Service: 10/06/2021
By Suzie Ziegler
PONCE, Puerto Rico — A Puerto Rico police sergeant died and a suspect is in custody after a traffic stop turned violent earlier this month, police said.
Sgt. Erasmo García Torres, 50, was shot twice on June 10 after initiating the stop, according to The San Juan Daily Star. Torres was taken to a hospital where he died. A civilian was also wounded in the incident.
Police said a suspect was in custody but didn’t immediately release their identity, according to the report.
Puerto Rico Gov. Pedro Pierluisi Urrutia vowed justice.
“This crime will not go unpunished,” Urrutia said in a statement. “We will not rest and we will use all the resources at our disposal to bring justice to this fallen policeman, to his family and to all Puerto Ricans.”
Torres was a member of the force for 30 years, the Daily Star reported. He most recently worked as a motor officer.
Our thoughts are with the entire Garcia family, and the men and women of the Puerto Rico Police Department. Officer Erasmo Garcia Torres may you Rest In Peace. pic.twitter.com/GTaOegabAP
— San Juan DFO Gregory Alvarez (@DFOSanJuan) June 14, 2021