Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

My name is Hector Blanco. I was Officer Rosalin Suarez's back up officer, on this fateful night. I don't know who the officer was that took great exception to the details in your synopsis, that made it more about the alarm call and how we handled these alarm calls. He didn't identify himself, enough said. The facts are there. We were a small agency, with limited equipment. The facts are in the court documents, as is my testimony. What court testimony doesn't show, was Rosalin was shot, 10 ft from his brother's, Richard Suarez, front door step. Richard followed in his brother's footsteps and became an outstanding McAllen Police Officer in his own right. I'm sorry to announce, we just lost Richard Suarez, to pancreatic cancer, on 08/16/22. It was my greatest honor to have served with both of these distinguished gentlemen. May God bless each and everyone of their families, for they are the backbone and our heroes, that support what we do. Thank you all and God bless.

P.O. 3 Hector Blanco
McAllen Tx. PD

August 17, 2022

Officer Rosalin Suarez was truly a loving and caring police officer. Officer Suarez's soul is in Heaven because of his acts of love and care. Rosalin will never ever ever ever be forgotten.

Retired First Sergeant Thomas Webb, New York State Police.

July 12, 2020

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

July 11, 2020

Someone should correct the story that you have posted on how Officer Suarez was killed. Note that you are painting a picture that officer Suarez had a partner when he located the killer hiding at the rear of the store that the killer was attempting to break into.
Back than the city of McAllen(like most cities) did not have two man units(rare was the case). The burglar turned killer would shake the doors at the front of the business and hide to see if the police responded(in many cases the managers or store owners would not respond to the alarm if no damage was visible and after a few alarms they would tell police dispatchers that it was a problem with the system and they would take care of it in the morning leaving the business up for more frequent patrols by the officer assigned to that area.) In this case Officer Suarez located a suspect and the foot chase was on in total darkness and a neighborhood located behind that business.
The rest is bad history for the family of Officer Suarez and the fellow officers and friends that he had.
He was a good man who was killed doing his duty to protect and serve when others just put in a regular mans work day. I will always be proud to say that the shifts and softball games I played and worked besides him will stay with me until I see him again. The same goes for another McAllen police officer by the name of Ray Lopez (small of body but was as brave and carrying as they come). Only a few of them can leave a mark so big behind that all the rest of us are left so far behind.

Friend, not so great a training officer
Once a McAllen Police Officer

May 29, 2020

Junior i remember you ..and you were an inspiriation to all of us in neighborhood..we saw you graduate go to the army and the police dept. Your life was to short and i can only think, how we thought your faith in god. Would not let you take anothers life..we miss you to this day..god needed you in heaven..bless you for you love of humanity...crazy legs

Pena
U.s. army

February 11, 2020

Rest in peace Officer Suarez.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 17, 2019

Officer Suarez was a young and promising officer, and I was proud to be his patrol sergeant. This tragic incident changed the McAllen Police Department forever, and I believe we used this event as a catalyst to improve the department in many ways. And Rosalin's brother, Richard, later served as a McAllen Police Officer for more than 20 years.

Chief Gary Miller
Bee Cave Police Department

May 15, 2018

RIP Officer Suarez. It appears once again the Criminal Justice system has failed the officer and rewarded the killer. A good man dies and the state bends over backwards to accommodate the guilty.

Deputy Constable Anonymous Anonymous
31 years of service

April 17, 2018

I remember this event. I was a reporter for Ch. 4 news. I'd known the family that owned the store for years. Ann was in my high school class. Her husband and I attended the same church. I drove to the scene and found Ann crying in her office.
I really felt bad. I wondered who in the hell could do this in our town. I got some information from friends at the PD. They made a legal but determined arrest. The charge was capital murder. The guilty party in my opinion was not anyone deserving of leniency.
He lived a foul existence. He did not care about anyone else. I think that we were all punished by having to agree to tax dollars supporting his scumbag soul for the rest of his life.
I did News for lots of years. Some things stay with you. The trial was big. The concern was big. Other McAllen officers were not happy but followed the law.
They showed their integrity.

Neo Canales
KGBT-TV...City of McAllen

September 3, 2017

Rest in Peace Officer Rosalin Suarez Jr... Thank You for your brave Service and Sacrifice protecting the citizens of McAllen, Texas.

I Pray for Peace for your Family, Friends and the men and women who now serve. I also Pray that while your murderer did not escape punishment here on this earthly realm that the hounds of hell will soon be gnawing on his sorry bones. May nothing but thorn bushes and weed grow on their graves. May his sorry soul be consumed by the lake of fire.

Amen.

Senior Special Agent B.L. Sherwood
Port Terminal Railroad Police Houston, TX

May 19, 2016

My name is Annette M. Lesure, formally Chavez. I'm the niece of former McAllen PD Officer, Hector Blanco, whom was on duty with Officer Rosalin Suarez, Jr. the night he died. A night that changed all our lives. I was 8 1/2 years old and will never forget the months of my uncle picking me up after school and going to his therapy sessions. I can recall the adults recanting every word of that night and the funeral, like it was yesterday. This has stayed with all of us, especially my uncle, all our lives. Uncle knows he has remained as a guardian angel to him. I suppose Officer Suarez continued his watch in the great beyond. I pray his family was blessed with solace for their grief and rest in the comfort of their memories. God Bless them all. Gone, but never forgotten. 35 years

Annette M. Lesure
Niece of former McAllen PD

May 19, 2016

For some reason, I was thinking of you today. Hard to believe it has been almost 35 years since that horrible night that I will never forget. I retired 4 years ago but in 34 years of law enforcement, that night was the worst in my career. You will always be remembered as "my partner" and my best friend!

Retired Sgt. Leslie Rachels McFarland
Former McAllen PD officer

February 10, 2016

Officer Suarez, I did not have the honor of working with you, but I did have the pleasure of working with your brother and your niece. Even though we may not have worked along side one another, your presence was always felt at McAllen P.D. For your ultimate sacrifice, I thank you.

Fermin Garcia Jr.
McAllen P.D./U.S.B.P.

February 9, 2016

Time may have passed but you are not forgotten. I believe as long as someone remembers you or speaks your name, you are still with us.
Thank you for your heroism.
God Bless

Detention Officer A.Zambito
Texas

May 19, 2015

Rosalin would go to my house when he was an officer in Alamo and check up on me. He'd ask my mom if I was being good. He always checked up on me and he always stopped me just to talk to me and to say "hello" whenever he would see me on the streets of Alamo.When we moved to Pharr, he too transferred to Pharr.Again he would check up on me and stop by to say "hello". When I woke up one morning,my mom was crying in the dinning room. I asked her what was wrong and she asked me to sit down. She told me that Rosalin had been killed. I cried with my mom. I was only 14 yrs old. I'll never forget you my friend. I'll never forget you!

Citizen...Leroy Gongora
Friend

May 12, 2015

I too recall Officer Suarez at Pharr PD. I recalled he was excited to move on to McAllen PD. He said to me, Sgt. I got hired and I responded, "Great, take care of yourself" I too miss you.

Roberto Valdes -Retired Pharr PD
Retired Honorable Peace Officer 2010

May 20, 2013

We sure do MISS YOU !!! You always come to mind when I see a Mcallen Police Officer on motorcycle patrol. I remember when that was your dream before you got hired into Mcllen P.D. from Pharr P.D. I totally agree with your brother Richard, when he siad "we wish you were still with us". May you be in peace and we will cross path one day!!! God Bless!!!

Andre Escobar
Friend

July 13, 2012

Rest in peace my brother, May the good Lord have you in his kingdom. It has been 31 years my brother and we still miss you. What can i say i wish you were still with us and enjoying life. Someday we will be back together again....God Bless!

McAllen Police Officer Richard Suarez
Brother

July 11, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 31rst anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

May 19, 2012

I was a police officer with the McAllen Police Department when my friend, Rosalin Suarez, Jr., was killed. He worked with me at Pharr P.D. before we worked at McAllen P.D. I grew up with Rosalin and know his family well. May you rest in peace my friend.

Ruben G. Flores

Ruben Flores
Ex-McAllen Police Officer

July 1, 2011

On May 19,1981 I got a call that the alarm was set off at my families business, The Village Store. My husband and I arrived and I saw a Police car still running and no officers in site. We went to the door to open and turn the alarm off.
This happened many times. We had a policeman come up to us and pulled a gun on us and he said leave and come back. We saw so many officers and we heard someone had been shot. My heart sunk. We came back and they showed us a picture and the man had been the store earlier in the day.
I was just talking to my son and told him the story. It has been 28 years. I just want to say to any family members or to any of his friends I did not know them and the McAllen Police Dept is one of the finest in the State. I still think about him often. Since then I lost a 14 year old son and I feel so much for Rosalin's parents,wife, and family.
God be with you.

Ann Hohmann
Owner of the establishment

May 27, 2009

IF
So many years have gone by. You were so young so full of life and the desire to do the best any Outstanding young officer could do.
I was off that night and was notified by a friend not my own police department. I will never forget you nor your brother that followed you into law enforcement.
Friends until we meet again.

Jesus Davila ex training officer friend
neisd San Antonio

May 22, 2008

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

February 14, 2008

We will never forget you Officer Rosalin Suarez Jr.

Police Officer Santiago Galvan Jr.
McAllen Police Officer

January 14, 2007

"The Final Inspection"
The policeman stood and faced his God,
which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining,
just as brightly as his brass.

"Step forward now, policeman.
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My church have you been true?"

The policeman squared his shoulders
and said, "No Lord. I guess I ain't.
Because those who carry badges,
can't always be a saint."

"I've had to work most Sundays,
and at times my talk was rough...
and sometimes I've been violent
because the streets are awful tough."

"But I never took a penny,
that wasn't mine to keep...
though I worked a lot of overtime
when the bills got just too steep."

"And I never passed a cry for help,
though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I wept unmanly tears."

"I know I don't deserve a place
among the people here.
They never wanted me around
except to calm their fear."

"If you've a place for me here, Lord,
it needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But, if you don't...I'll understand."

There was silence all around the throne,
where saints had often trod,
as the policeman waited quietly
for the judgement of his God.

"Step forward now, policeman
You've borne your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on heaven's streets.
You've done your time in hell."

Dedicated to my brother not only in blue but in real life may GOD bless you always! You will always be in our hearts. love your brother!

Investigator Ricardo Suarez
McAllen Police Department

November 8, 2006