SAN ANTONIO -- A fiery crash on the Northwest Side on Friday morning claimed the life of a San Antonio police officer and another driver.

Police said that Officer John Wheeler was running radar from his patrol car on Loop 410 near Culebra Road at 2 a.m. when his cruiser was struck from behind by a 1994 Chevrolet Caprice that was traveling at a high rate of speed.

Both cars burst into flames upon impact and according to a police report, the fuel tank on Wheeler's car ruptured.

Both victims died at the scene.

The name of the other driver has not been released.

"(You) might want to just find a man in blue and thank them for what they do everyday," San Antonio Mayor Phil Hardberger said at a news conference Friday morning. "Thank them while they're alive, because sometimes you don't get a chance to thank those who are helping us everyday quietly."

Wheeler was a 12-year veteran of the force who survived a shooting at a gasoline station in September 2003 during an armed robbery.

Police officials said that Wheeler's wife, who is a police dispatcher, was working dispatch Friday morning when she heard his emergency call for help.

Wheeler is the first San Antonio police officer to die in the line of duty since December 2001.

A memorial fund has been established by the San Antonio Police Department for Wheeler. Donations can be made to:

Officer Wheeler Memorial Fund
San Antonio City Employees Federal Credit Union
Account # 688810
P.O. Box 830968
San Antonio, Texas 78283-0968