Family still seeking answers after SAPD officer's killer sentenced to prison

Diana Lopez sentenced to 12 years for killing Ernesto Vasquez

SAN ANTONIO – His killer may be in prison, but the family of a San Antonio police officer said they still don't have the closure they want.

Diana Lopez was sentenced Friday to more than a decade in prison for the 2015 New Year’s Eve death of Ernesto Vasquez, her common-law husband.

Standing at her brother's grave at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery Monday, Judi Vasquez said the family visits the former Marine and eight-year veteran SAPD officer often. Their mother visits every Sunday.

Judi now comes knowing Diana Lopez, 27, will pay for the father of three's death.

RELATED: Academy classmate remembers fallen SAPD officer

"We remember, we tell stories," Vasquez said. "He's a big Cowboys fan."

It has been just under 18 months since Lopez ran Ernesto Vasquez down with an SUV.  

Vasquez was trying to cross Blanco Road near Wurzbach Parkway when he was hit.

A month after he was hit, KSAT reported that Lopez was arrested in Laredo.

Lopez was sentenced to 12 years behind bars for the crime. She pleaded guilty in April for failure to stop and render aid resulting in death.

"We definitely would have loved for her to have the maximum sentence possible,” Vasquez said. “But I’m not going to lie, seeing those handcuffs being placed on her was somewhat gratifying."

Arrest documents said Lopez told police she found her husband in the middle of the street after the crash. Her story, however, didn't match surveillance video, and witnesses said she never called 911.

Vasquez said the fact is the family still isn't sure what happened the night her brother died. They said that throughout the trial and sentencing, Lopez’s story changed about how her husband was hit. Vasquez said they worry they may never know the truth.

"That's still always going to haunt us,” Vasquez said. “She needs to know that her apology truly doesn't mean anything to us. Anything that she does, any time that she serves, it's not going to bring my brother back."

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