Funeral Arrangements Set for Slain Dallas Police Officer

The Dallas police officer who died a day after he was shot at a Lake Highlands Home Depot will be laid to rest next week. Officer Rogelio Santander Jr. was shot Tuesday while responding to an off-duty officer's call for assistance with an arrest at a Home Depot. He died of his injuries at Texas Health Presbyterian of Dallas the next day.A private Mass will be held Monday at the Cathedral Guadalupe, 2215 Ross Ave., Dallas. A public visitation is planned from 6 to 9 p.m. at the cathedral.The 27-year-old's funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Lake Pointe Church, 701 East Interstate 30, Rockwall. Burial will follow in the Garden of Honor at Restland Cemetery. Santander was assigned to the northeast patrol division and served the department for three years. He is the ninth North Texas officer killed in the line of duty in about two years. Fellow Dallas police Officer Crystal Almeida, 26, and Home Depot loss-prevention officer Scott Painter, 26, were also wounded in the shooting. Both remained in critical condition Wednesday at the hospital, but police said they were improving. Before the fatal shooting, Painter noticed Armando Juarez. 29, behaving suspiciously and possibly trying to steal something from the store near U.S. Highway 75 and Forest Lane, according to the arrest warrant affidavit. The off-duty Dallas officer detained Juarez and learned he had an outstanding felony warrant. Officers Santander and Almeida responded to the store and attempted to arrest Juarez, who then took his hands from his pockets, drew a handgun and shot the officers before fleeing, the affidavit stated. Police arrested Juarez after a five-hour manhunt and police chase that started in southeast Dallas and ended near Dallas Love Field. He has been charged with capital murder, aggravated assault against a public servant and aggravated assault in retaliation. He is being held in the Dallas County Jail on $2,010,000 bail.   Continue reading...

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