Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Dies Months After Shooting

McALLEN, Texas -- Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Moises Sanchez has died following complications from surgery this week stemming from gunshot wounds he sustained in April.

State Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, D-McAllen, confirmed his death via Facebook Saturday afternoon.

“Today our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Trooper Sanchez who has made the ultimate sacrifice for our families. I also appreciate the healthcare teams that cared for Trooper Sanchez while he fought bravely and courageously these past four months. May he Rest in Peace and be in Heaven. Semper Fi to a former Marine,” Hinojosa said.

Last Thursday, DPS in a Facebook post said that Yvonne Sanchez, the late trooper’s wife, said her husband was scheduled for surgery to replace his bone flap with a reconstructed titanium mesh one.

Over the last few months, DPS reported that Moises Sanchez’s condition was improving as he underwent operations and therapy related to gunshot wounds he sustained to his head and shoulder.

“Saddened to learn of the passing of DPS Trooper Moises Sanchez who was shot twice back in April while responding to a routine traffic accident call in the Edinburg/McAllen area. This is a reminder that our law enforcement men and women risk their lives on a daily basis. There is no routine traffic stop or routine response to a call for help,” he said.

Moises Sanchez had been undergoing treatment since April 6, when authorities say 24-year-old Victor Alejandro Godinez shot the trooper once in the head and once in the shoulder with what police believe is a .357 revolver they recovered near east Mon Mack Road and State Highway 107.

Authorities accuse the man of opening fire after Moises Sanchez responded to a vehicular accident, fleeing the scene and opening fire after the trooper caught up to him in the 1500 block of South Maltese Street in Edinburg.

At some point, authorities say Godinez was also shot, thought it’s unclear which officer shot the suspect.

Godinez is also charged with shooting at Edinburg police officers Sandra Tapia and Jessie Moreno, according the indictment.

Godinez has entered not guilty pleas to three counts of attempted capital murder of a peace officer.

He remains jailed in Hidalgo County on a $3 million bond.

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©2019 The Monitor (McAllen, Texas)

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