31 year old Bobby Deckard, a highly regarded San Antonio Police officer, has passed away.
The husband, father, and officer, lost the fight for his life Friday morning, just before 10 a.m., from injuries he sustained after being shot in the head during a chase of robbery suspects.
Police Chief William McManus said in a statement, "With great sorrow, we have received word from the Deckard family that Bobby passed away."
He fought a brave battle but was unable to overcome his injuries, said McManus.
McManus reflected on the series of events that night tragically beat all odds that would end the life of one of his officers.
"Officer Deckard was not scheduled to work that night," he said. "Out of a city this large, he happened to be waiting by the ramp where the car we were looking for entered the highway and then a one in a million shot that hit Officer Deckard, even though he took proper evasive maneuvers during the pursuit and he was still struck. It couldn't have gone any worse."
McManus said he knew Deckard and that he was genuinely a good guy - the type of officer San Antonio wanted to represent the police department.
The family expressed their gratitude to doctors at San Antonio Military Medical Center, the SAPD, and the community.
Funeral arrangements are pending. Deckard is the sixth police officer to die in the line of duty since McManus joined the force in 2006.
A blood drive is planned for Monday in honor of Deckard. It'll be held at Ft. Sam Houston's Akeroyd Blood Center on Harney Road. A benefit fund has also been set up in Deckard's name.
