National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial

Officer Rank: Correctional Officer III

Memorial Panel: 50-W: 23

Department: Texas Department of Criminal Justice

End of Watch: May 31, 1999

Cause: AUTO

Age: 49

Years of Service: 13

Description: Correctional Officer Garza and Officer Elisa Valdez were en route to a mandatory in-service training class in Beeville, Texas, when they were involved in a fatal automobile accident. While traveling south on US-181, the corrections vehicle was struck head-on by a northbound car that had crossed over into the oncoming lanes of traffic. Officer Garza was pronounced dead at the scene of multiple head trauma and severe body injuries. Officer Valdez was treated for minor injuries.