On September 25, 2004, Patrolman Angel Andrew Barcena, aged 38, was tragically shot and killed while responding to a domestic disturbance call in El Paso, Texas. Barcena, who had recently graduated from the police academy and served with the El Paso Police Department for just one month, responded to a call reporting an intoxicated male attempting to break into a home.
Upon arriving at the scene, Barcena and his partner entered the garage after hearing screams from inside the house.
Inside the garage, they encountered the suspect, Theodore Michael Berry, who was armed with a .38-caliber revolver. Barcena attempted to subdue Berry with his Taser, but missed. Berry then fired two shots, hitting Barcena once in the back of his upper left leg, severing an artery. Despite being rushed to Beaumont Army Medical Center, Barcena succumbed to his injuries.
Berry was later arrested and charged with capital murder. In May 2006, he was convicted of the crime and initially sentenced to death. However, his sentence was later reduced to life in prison. Berry's defense argued that he was very drunk at the time and believed Barcena was an intruder, but the prosecution presented evidence, including Berry's confession and 911 tapes, to secure the conviction.
The case drew significant attention, and the trial concluded with a guilty verdict after a two-week court case. Barcena was survived by his wife, brother, and father, and his death was mourned by the community and his fellow officers.
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