Fallen San Benito Officer honored at Texas Peace Officers Memorial

AUSTIN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Fallen San Benito Lieutenant, Milton Resendez, was honored on Sunday in Austin, Texas.

Lt. Resendez's name was engraved in the Texas Peace Officer Memorial, located at the State Capital.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott greeted the San Benito Police Department and Officer Resendez's widow during the event.

The San Benito Police Department shared to social media the event with the caption, "Honoring a great friend and community hero. Lieutenant Milton Resendez, you are forever in our hearts."

According to a previous ValleyCentral report, on Oct. 17, two men were initially stopped for speeding on the beach at South Padre Island.

This was the start of the first pursuit, in which gunfire was exchanged by the suspects and pursuing officers. Authorities then “fell back” out of concern for the safety of citizens in the area.

Hours later that same night, the two men were spotted again in a black Ford Expedition. A second pursuit began, reaching San Benito, where Lt. Resendez was shot as his vehicle crossed paths with the suspects.

_{Lt. Milton Resendez (City of San Benito)}

According to a previous ValleyCentral report, the State is seeking the death penalty for one of the men who was charged in connection to the deadly shooting.

Executive Digital Producer Steven Masso contributed to this report.