05/15/2026
On this Peace Officer's Memorial Day, we take a moment to remember Our Fallen.
Chief John F. Connor was shot and killed after being attacked by a man and his three sons. Four subjects were charged but acquitted. Chief Connor had been with the Uvalde Police Department for two years. He was survived by his wife and two children.
Patrolman Jerry Franklin was shot and killed at 1 am in a cell at the Uvalde police station after he and another officer arrested a juvenile for intoxication and possession of alcohol. As they placed the boy in a cell, he began to resist. During the scuffle, Patrolman Franklin's holster and the weapon were knocked to the ground. The boy was then able to gain control of his gun and shot him, killing him instantly. The second officer struggled with the suspect, but the boy freed himself and ran up the stairs.
The suspect escaped from the office but was returned to the police station by his mother. The Juvenile had a long delinquent record. He was 16 and weighed 180 pounds. On September 28, 1961, he was sentenced to five years.
Patrolman Franklin was a United States Navy Reserve World War II veteran and had served the Uvalde Police Department for 2 1/2 years. He is survived by his wife, daughter, son, father, two brothers, and two sisters.
Every day, we walk a path paved by the courage of those who came before us, especially the fallen officers who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. Honoring their memory is not a duty reserved solely for annual memorials or moments of silence; it is a commitment we carry forward in the choices we make every single day.
We truly honor them when we weave their dedication into the fabric of our daily work.