San Antonio police officer Luis Cordova, wounded in a deadly shootout on the city’s West Side last October, walked across the stage at the University of Texas at San Antonio’s Buena Vista Theater on Friday to receive two of the department’s highest honors. Cordova was awarded a Purple Heart and the San Antonio Police Department’s Medal of Valor after officials said he kept fighting, returning fire even after he was shot and helping bring down an armed suspect.
Ceremony At UTSA Theater
The department presented Cordova with the Purple Heart and Medal of Valor during its annual awards ceremony, according to the San Antonio Express-News. KENS-TV reporter Vanessa Croix, serving as emcee, announced the honors and praised Cordova’s “calm and focused” response, noting that, “Despite his injuries, he was able to return fire, stopping the armed suspect and preventing further harm to fellow officers and the community.”
Chief William McManus presented the awards onstage, and officials noted that Cordova has served with the department for about eight years.
Gunfire At West Side Motel
The chaotic exchange began on Oct. 15 after officers responded to a whispered 911 call at a Travelodge/Ramada Inn on the 6800 block of U.S. Highway 90 West near West Military, according to KSAT. When officers confronted the man, identified by police as Odon Paul Bustos IV, he pulled a handgun and a gunfight erupted. Bustos was pronounced dead at the scene.
Two officers were wounded in the shooting and taken to the hospital. They were later released.
Ongoing Investigation And Legal Review
SAPD placed the involved officers on administrative leave, and the shooting remains under review by the department’s shooting team and Internal Affairs, with findings expected to be forwarded to the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office, as reported by the San Antonio Express-News. McManus told reporters that Bustos had been taunting officers before the 911 call and that officers tried to stop him when he produced a gun.
“He was gesturing to them, and they were ignoring him,” McManus said. Court records cited by reporters show Bustos had been on community supervision and had a lengthy criminal history.
Other Honors At The Awards Ceremony
The department used the annual UTSA event to spotlight several high-risk incidents from the past year. Officer Matthew Medina received a Meritorious Conduct Award for rescuing a wounded colleague during a January Stone Oak shooting, KSAT reported. Several other officers were awarded Purple Hearts for injuries suffered in that Stone Oak incident, and SAPD released body-camera footage connected to the response during the same awards period.
Family members, department leaders and fellow officers filled the theater as honorees were called to the stage.
Cordova is recovering from his injuries, and the department says it will cooperate with the independent review process. Investigators and prosecutors are expected to complete their work before any additional administrative or criminal decisions are made.
