Lieutenant Milton Gabriel Resendez, 54, a 27-year veteran of the San Benito Police Department, was shot and killed on October 17, 2023, while responding to a multi-jurisdiction pursuit. The incident began about 4:30 p.m. that day when a red GMC truck stopped for speeding on a South Padre Island beach fled with two men, two women and two children aboard. The vehicle was chased through Port Isabel and Brownsville and suspects exchanged gunfire with officers during the pursuit.

Hours later the chase reached San Benito, where Lieutenant Resendez joined the effort. At approximately 10:58 p.m. near the 1100 block of North Sam Houston Boulevard, suspects fired on his patrol vehicle; a bullet entered the driver’s side door and struck him in the abdomen below his vest. He died after being taken to Valley Baptist Hospital, the first line-of-duty death in the history of the San Benito Police Department.

Two men were arrested in connection with the chase and shooting and later charged with capital murder of a peace officer, among other offenses. Vigils and memorials followed as the community and law enforcement grieved his loss. If anyone witnessed the pursuit or has information about the shooting, please come forward.