LGBTQ community devastated by detective's murder

Equality Texas: Benjamin Marconi 'longtime supporter and ally

SAN ANTONIO – Hearing of an officer being ambushed and killed Sunday was bad enough, but when Robert Salcido Jr. learned it was San Antonio police Detective Benjamin Marconi, he said, “Double impact. You say, ‘Wow.’ Somebody you know.”

As a regional field coordinator for Equality Texas, Salcido said the 20-year veteran was a longtime supporter and ally of the group’s push for full equality for gay and transgender communities statewide.

“Love is love and everybody’s human and deserves respect and dignity. He embodied that,” Salcido said. “He supported that wholeheartedly.”

Now that an arrest has been made, Salcido said, “We’re glad to see that the suspect was apprehended without further incident.”

“We hope the investigation proceeds and results in justice for Detective Marconi’s family and friends,” Salcido said.

Salcido said the detective was known for his compassion and understanding.

Related content:

Officer shot, killed outside SAPD Headquarters identified

San Antonio community rallies around police after shooting

SAPD takes precautions for officers after officer killed in line of duty

Marconi represented who he was in his career and personal life, Salcido said through his words and actions.

“People that walked the walk and talked the talk. He embodied that,” he said.

Salcido said the fallen officer will be part of next week’s public conversation on issues facing San Antonio’s LGBTQ community.

“He was the type of officer that we strive to work with,” Salcido said.

The event is set for Nov. 30 at the Blue Star Arts Complex beginning at 5:30 p.m. Information about tickets can be found on the Equality Texas website.

Salcido said Equality Texas will honor Benjamin Marconi by continuing its work locally and across the state.


About the Author:

Jessie Degollado has been with KSAT since 1984. She is a general assignments reporter who covers a wide variety of stories. Raised in Laredo and as an anchor/reporter at KRGV in the Rio Grande Valley, Jessie is especially familiar with border and immigration issues. In 2007, Jessie also was inducted into the San Antonio Women's Hall of Fame.