Compiled by Jose L. Banales, Assistant Chief, Operations Bureau Commander, San Antonio Police Department:
On Dec. 20, the San Antonio Police Department lost a hero. During the early morning hours of Dec. 8, Officer Robert C. Deckard was shot while in pursuit of two robbery suspects. The prognosis was not very promising and had he survived, medical doctors indicated that he would have had severe paralysis and impaired cognitive and mental capacities as well as impaired speech. Officer Deckard clung to life for 13 days at San Antonio Military Medical Center where he received state-of-the-art medical attention and treatment by some of the best doctors in the country. Family and fellow SAPD officers were hopeful that Deckard would survive, but he ultimately succumbed to the injuries he suffered.
Services were held Jan. 4, at Cornerstone Church and was officiated by Pastor John Hagee. Police Chief William McManus read the eulogy and within his reading provided a timeline of Officer Deckard’s pursuit: (Excerpt from Chief McManus’ reading)
0114 hours on Dec. 8, 2013, a call was dispatched with the description of a vehicle involved in a robbery.
0117 hours, Officer Deckard is assigned
0143 hours, Officer Deckard is on the quadrant on IH-410, spots the vehicle and begins to follow it. Officer Deckard calls for cover.
At 0149 hours, Detective Brent Lively and Officers Adam Azua and Manuel Calderon fall in behind Officer Deckard.
It’s now 0150 hours and Officer Deckard activates his emergency lights in an attempt to conduct a felony stop and the pursuit begins.
At 0155 hours, speeds near 100 mph are being reported.
At 0156, Officer Deckard instructs the dispatcher to “Notify County” referring to Bexar County Sheriff’s Office.
Ten minutes pass since Officer Deckard activated his emergency lights and at 0200 hours, speeds near 115 mph. A short time later, the suspects slow to 90 mph, possibly trying to draw Officer Deckard and his cover officers in closer.
It’s now 0202 hours and as speeds slow to 70 mph and Officer Deckard warns: “I have an AR-15, watch my crossfire.”
At 0204 hours, a call for AirLife is made to be on standby.
Two minutes later, at 0206 hours, the suspects fire the first shot and Officer Deckard warns Officers by radio. He receives no response and goes over the air to ask: “Did you copy?”
At 0207, Officer Deckard sends Detective Lively 2 MDT transmissions: “They shot at me” “No hit” 0208 hours, Detective Lively relays Officer Deckard’s message by radio.
At 0209 hours, the suspects begin throwing objects out of the suspect vehicle into Officer Deckard’s path and he again warns over the radio: “Still shooting at us!”
At 0210 hours, speeds start to increase to 80 mph, and two minutes later, their speed increases to 100 mph and dispatch informs that AirLife isn’t available.
Two minutes later, at 0212 hours, Officer Deckard is mortally wounded. San Antonio Fire Department EMS takes over and provides the best emergency care possible on scene and while en route to SAMMC.
Chief McManus illustrated Officer Deckard’s commitment and dedication to the SAPD by reading an email by Officer Deckard to Sergeant Miles Earwood expressing his interest in the SAPD Honor Guard and how he believed that serving in the Honor Guard would be serving in the highest position of honor within the department. Additionally, Chief McManus read a message posted on the SAPD Facebook page:
M. Nash: “Totally got some unexpected help from an Officer Deckard today (Badge #528 – I think…) that was completely beyond what I expected! His professionalism, care for community, and curbside manner was absolutely stellar. SAPD ROCKS!” (Posted Dec. 3, at 9:24 p.m)
Officer Deckard was shot five days later….
“All we have to do is look at his picture. The only thing on his face bigger than his smile was his big square jaw. He always looked sharp in his uniform, he was attentive, he had a great sense of humor, was well liked and was trusted by his colleagues.”
The following quote from Officer Deckard’s SAPD Training Academy Class 2006C really embodies what type of officer Deckard was and stood for:
“As the guy that could go anywhere and be the life of the party, he could make people laugh, make you feel like everything was going to be alright and would give you the sense of goodness.” They went on to say, “Anyone that knew Bobby knew how much he loved being a San Antonio Police officer. He was perfect in the sense that he was perfect for this career; he had the drive, compassion, motivation, and skills which he would continuously hone. You could say he was the finest of the finest. Bobby’s tactical skills were second to none. He was the officer you wanted standing by your side, especially on the most harrowing, difficult calls. He stayed in top physical shape and aspired to be part of the elite SAPD SWAT. Bobby you are our hero, we love you and you will live on through us…. We do not say goodbye, we say so long.”
The church service concluded with the traditional “Hall of Honor” by all the sworn officers representing various police departments from throughout the nation. The procession, “Honorary Escort” was lead by the San Antonio Police Department’s Traffic Section, entire Motorcycle Unit and followed by the hearse carrying his body and a series of six cars transporting the family. Following the family were hundreds of marked police vehicles from the various departments that came to pay their last respects to him.
The marked police vehicles were followed by the friends and family as well as many citizens from the greater San Antonio area. The procession was very impressive as it spanned more than 15 miles long.
Along the entire route from the church to the burial site, citizens were stopping and getting out of their vehicles to stand and salute as the hearse carrying his body passed. As the procession approached the burial site, the street was lined with citizens for approximately one mile. The display of citizens that had come out to pay respects to Officer Deckard was not only impressive but emotionally moving. I have dedicated more than 30 years of service to the SAPD and have never seen such a large number of citizens come out to pay respects to one of our fallen Officers.
Once at the burial site, the traditional final respects were paid. They started with the parade from the hearse to the gravesite, while the combined San Antonio Fire Department Honor Guard Drum Corp and bagpipes from the various departments played. A short prayer service by Pastor Hagee was officiated, followed by a 21-gun salute and TAPS was played. The “Folding of the Flag” was performed by the SAPD Honor Guard and Chief McManus presented the flag to Officer Deckard’s wife. Retirement of the Badge by Chief McManus was conducted and the Emergency Tones were heard over the police radios. Dispatch announced the retirement of Officer Deckard’s badge and “End of Watch.” A flyover by the SAPD Helicopter Detail in the “Missing Man” formation followed immediately after retiring the badge. The ceremony was concluded with the bagpipes playing “Amazing Grace.”
On behalf of Chief McManus and the men and women of the San Antonio Police Department:
“To all the police officers who came from other jurisdictions, to all state, county, and federal agencies, to all the firefighters and EMS personnel, to all the representatives of the criminal justice system, and to all the Greater San Antonio community, thank you for honoring Officer Robert Deckard with your presence.”
