DALLAS (WBAP/KLIF) – One of the Dallas Police officers who was shot in the line of duty yesterday at a Northeast Dallas Hope Depot has died, according to Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings at this morning’s Dallas City Council meeting.
Officer Rogelio Santander was pronounced dead at Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas Wednesday morning. He was a three-year veteran of the force and served in the Northeast Division.
Mayor Rawlings ordered the flags at half-staff in his honor.
Dallas Police Chief Renee Hall asked the community to keep Santander’s family and the department on their minds.
“We’re asking that you continue to pray for the family and DPD family. This is going to be a trying time for us. So, we’re just asking for your support during this time,” she said.
Santander’s partner, Crystal Almeida, who was also shot, is still in critical condition. Dallas Police Association President Mike Mata said her condition is slowly improving.
“She’s doing better than expected. We hope and pray that she continues to improve today and come out the woods a little bit more and hopefully…hopefully…we can have some good news today,” he said.
The incident started Tuesday afternoon at the Home Depot off of U.S 75 and Forest Lane, when an off-duty officer working loss prevention was trying to arrest a suspect.
Investigators said the suspect, Armando Juarez, allegedly produced a gun and opened fire.
The loss prevention officer was also critically wounded during the shooting. There’s no word on whether his condition is improving.
Juarez was arrested overnight after a five-hour manhunt and high-speed chase that at Versailles and Holland near Dallas Love Field.
He’s facing numerous charges including aggravated assault on a police officer, aggravated assault in retaliation and theft of property up to $32,000. He’s being held in the Dallas County Jail on $1 million dollar bond.
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