An arrest has been made in the shooting death of San Antonio Police Detective Benjamin Marconi, who was ambushed and killed outside the SAPD headquarters Sunday as he was writing a ticket in his police unit.
That suspect has been identified as 31-year-old Otis McKane. He has been charged with capital murder.
As for Officer Marconi, he actually spent several years at Texas A&M University-Kingsville as a ROTC battalion cadet. Two fellow cadets from back in the late 80s spoke exclusively to KENS 5's sister station's Kiii News Reporter Briana Whitney Monday.
Martin Chapa and Victor Garcia were in the ROTC batallion cadet program at the university with fallen Marconi. They said his character is what will be remembered most.
"Ben would never allow anyone to quit," Garcia said. "It was always, 'We're part of the team. We're all gonna finish together.'"
Marconi, born and raised in Floresville, was part of the Rangers group within the ROTC department, which was an elite competition team. Both men said even with the challenges and demands of the cadet training, he was able to juggle being involved in the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity.
"When he met anybody he really left an impression on you because of his leadership," Chapa said. "Because of his character. Because of who he was."
Garcia and Chapa said Marconi had planned on serving in the U.S. Army but a farming accident his senior year forced him to change course. That would not and could stop him from wanting to do one thing -- serve the people.
Though their memories are from the late 80s, they said even in their recent class reunions, Marconi had not changed one bit.
Both Garcia and Chapa said they plan on attending his funeral service in San Antonio once a date is set. The Corpus Christi Police Department will also be sending their honor guard to San Antonio for the funeral as well to show support for our law enforcement allies as they remember and honor Officer Ben Marconi.
