Eight Mission police officers were recognized Friday at the State Capitol in Austin on the Texas House of Representatives chamber floor for their bravery in two high profile incidents, one of which resulted in the death of fellow officer Cpl. Jose Luis “Speedy” Espericueta Jr. who was also recognized posthumously.
The Texas Law Enforcement Achievement Awards allows the state the opportunity to recognize the best in law enforcement by awarding officers involved in 20 separate events or accomplishments.
This year, all eight nominations from the Mission Police Department were awarded the Medal of Valor.
“It is a tremendous honor to recognize these amazing officers for their vision, their leadership, and their heroism,” Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Executive Director Kim Vickers said in a news release. “These fine individuals have given so much to Texas in their time and talents, and we especially remember those who have given their lives in protection of their community.”
The first four recipients of the award were Cpl. Vidal Farias, Diego Aranda, Oscar Guzman and Arnoldo Villarreal, Jr., who were involved in a five-hour standoff with Sullivan City Commissioner Gabriel Salinas, 39. Salinas barricaded himself at his residence after assaulting his girlfriend and her 4-year-old son in 2020.
A neighbor called police after Salinas’ 39-year-old girlfriend showed up bleeding from several lacerations caused by a machete or knife.
Two officers attempted to enter the home through a garage when the girlfriend’s son, who was bleeding from his head, approached them and was immediately removed from the home.
It was then that Salinas began shooting at the officers, forcing them to take cover behind a police unit, where they managed to grab a rifle and exchanged gunfire with Salinas, who then retreated into the home and locked himself inside.
After hours of attempting to coax Salinas out, a robot with a cell phone taped to its body was sent in only to find Salinas, who suffered from hemophilia, lying in a pool of blood in a bedroom.
It’s believed the hemophilia disorder contributed to Salinas’ death.
The following four officers who were awarded, Cpl. Alexandria Leal, Luis Gutierrez, Sergio Martinez and Cpl. Jose Luis “Speedy” Espericueta, were involved in a shooting that resulted in Espericueta’s death in 2019.
Espericueta’s widow, Roberta “Bobbie” De Leon Espericueta, accepted the valor medal.
Espericueta received a call for assistance regarding a woman who had waved down police saying her 33-year-old son, Juan Carlos Chapa Jr., had shot her car.
Upon arrival, Espericueta saw Chapa walking and attempted to make contact with him but Chapa ran, turned and fired his handgun, striking Espericueta.
The officer, with the help of other responding officers, exchanged fire with Chapa until he was neutralized.
Espericueta and Chapa were transported to local hospitals where they were later pronounced dead.
“These officers represent the best Texas law enforcement has to offer,” State Rep. James White, who delivered the keynote address, said. “Each one of them is well deserving of their award, and I am grateful for their service.”
