Milton Resendez, a dedicated police officer with the San Benito Police Department, lost his life in the line of duty.

Resendez, a renowned member of the San Benito Police Department, was tragically killed while performing his duties as a cop. Resendez’s narrative is one of service, dedication, and ultimate sacrifice for the community he served.

Who was Milton Resendez?

Resendez, also known as Lieutenant Milton Resendez, had a distinguished law enforcement career lasting nearly 30 years. During this time, he displayed a strong commitment to ensuring his fellow residents’ safety and well-being. The San Benito Police Department’s Chief Mario Perea described Resendez as someone who genuinely cared about everyone and could get along with individuals from all walks of life.

The deadly incident that took Lieutenant Resendez’s life occurred after a tense pursuit of two people who had fled a routine traffic stop. These suspects participated in a series of high-speed behavior, involving vehicle swaps and racing across multiple communities near the US-Mexico border. Tragically, the pursuit ended with Resendez being struck by a bullet in the abdomen that penetrated his patrol car’s door.

The precise circumstances of the shooting, such as who fired the fatal shot and how many shots were fired, were not immediately known. Prior to shooting Resendez, the suspects engaged in a gun fight with other law enforcement officials, who fled unharmed.

The two suspects in this harrowing incident were identified as 18-year-old Rogelio Martinez Jr. of Brownsville and 23-year-old Rodrigo Axel Espinosa Valdez of Mexico. According to Cameron County District Attorney Luis Saenz, both individuals now face a slew of crimes, including capital murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and fleeing arrest.

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Governor Greg Abbott expressed the collective grief of the state, stating that “hearts across Texas grieve with the family and loved ones” of Lieutenant Milton Resendez. The Texas Rangers are conducting an investigation into this heartbreaking incident, seeking to shed light on the circumstances surrounding this loss.