SMPD mourns Officer Putnam, prays for Officer Mueller & Stewart

The deceased is Officer Justin Putnam  who came to San Marcos from Austin. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from Texas State University. He had been a member of SMPD since November 3, 2014 and, like his peers in the department, was chosen because he exemplified the ability to serve in a wonderfully diverse community. Putnam was engaged to be married. His father is a veteran of the Austin Fire Department.

​

The officers wounded in the incident are Officer Franco Stewart  and Officer Justin Mueller. Stewart came to SMPD on December 3, 2019 after serving with the McAllen Police Department for two and a half years and briefly serving with the U.S. Border Patrol before returning to street patrol. Mueller joined SMPD as a telecommunications operator in 2007 and rose through those ranks to become a supervisor.  He started his service as a Licensed Police Officer on June 7, 2019. He has worked remarkably to attain his dream of becoming of police officer. Both officers are in critical but stable condition in the ICU at Ascension Seton Hays in Kyle.

Officer Putnam's Memorial

Officer Putnam’s vehicle will be parked at City Hall, 630 East Hopkins Street, near the police and firefighter statues along Hopkins Street. Members of the public may leave memorials for his family and SMPD around the vehicle.