The national police officer was fatally shot this Wednesday in Burgos. According to information provided to EFE by investigative sources, the officer had recently been involved in a drug-smuggling case in the Ferrol region and a weapon not belonging to him was found during the operation.
The officer, a Ferrol native who had been assigned to A Coruña after a brief period in the Canary Islands, was arrested on March 24 in Valdoviño in a National Police operation against drug trafficking. The case focused on pink cocaine, a synthetic stimulant, and resulted in five arrests overall.
Three individuals were remanded to temporary prison with notice, another was held on bail but could not pay, and a fifth, the late officer, was released on unrelated charges. No drugs were discovered at the residence during the search, but a weapon not licensed to the officer was found. There were no concrete indications connecting him to the trafficking network at that time, so no precautionary measures were requested against him.
These developments, alongside his investigative status, led to his suspension from active duty, seizure of his firearm, and a new phase in the case as he faced additional acts being investigated.
Yesterday, as he approached the Lonzas outpost in A Coruña where he was stationed, authorities say he tried to take a weapon from a locker. He had no personal firearm with him, and the weapon he used to travel ended up in Villagonzalo Pedernales, Burgos, as part of a joint operation by the National Police and the Civil Guard. The operation culminated in a shootout during which the officer lost his life.
A police spokesperson, speaking before the United Police Union in Galicia, Roberto González, described it as a “sad day for the National Police.” He stepped before the media to offer condolences and to commend his colleagues for the rapid investigation that prevented further harm. He noted that the situation was a sobering reminder of the dangers officers face daily.
The spokesperson added that the deceased officer was in need of treatment and support for mental health issues. He said the officer had been under some form of mental health monitoring within the force and that progress had been made in establishing a primary health unit in Galicia, though more work was still seen as necessary.
There was also discussion about improving security measures, including equipment checks so that weapons remain accounted for. Proposals were mentioned for cameras and better gunsmith oversight to ensure that weapons are always secured and traceable, a response to incidents where stolen firearms have been used in police operations.
As investigators continue to piece together the timeline, the focus remains on accountability, staff welfare, and the safeguards needed to protect officers who put themselves in harm’s way in the line of duty.