Tagged: SAPD

As part of National Police Week, San Antonio Police Department and Bexar County Sheriff's Department are honoring their slain officers and deputies.

SAPD held a ceremony earlier this week and Sheriff Susan Pamerleau will hold a special candlelight vigil Thursday evening for members of her department - the first time Bexar County has held such a private event.

On Friday deputies will gather for the annual public ceremony, where Sgt. Yvonne Vann, wife of Sgt. Kenneth Vann, who was shot and killed while on duty in May 2011, will speak.

Fiesta gets underway tomorrow and the Boston Marathon bombings have San Antonio police and firefighters strengthening their presence to make sure people stay safe during the 11-day celebration.

Fiesta is San Antonio's way to honor the heroes of the Alamo and Battle of San Jacinto and it all started in 1891 with a hugely successful Battle of Flowers Parade.

Though the years since have been full of fun and festivities, there was one incident that changed everything.

The Texas Department of Transportation is reviving its Fiesta Safe voucher program this year to offer free cab rides to intoxicated individuals.

San Antonio Police Chief William McManus echoed the words of other law enforcement agencies on catching drunk drivers.

"If you drink and drive, you’re going to get caught," McManus said. "It’s just a matter of when. When you do, it’s going to cost you a lot of money and a lot of heartache that you don’t need."

Last year San Antonio Police reported that dozens of people were struck and killed crossing busy roadways. As a result, Police Chief William McManus instituted stricter jaywalking policies.

However, people continued illegally crossing the street, and one area where it kept happening was on Fredericksburg Road, which sees more than 16,000 cars each day.