Holly MatkinSan Angelo, TX – Tom Green County District Attorney’s Office Criminal Investigator Steven Carnes died in the line of duty on Nov. 13, 2022, after suffering a heart attack while brawling with a noncompliant suspect.
The 53-year-old investigator was working an off-duty security job at the Koronazz venue located at 4611 S. Jackson at approximately 1:52 a.m. when he went to arrest a suspect just before closing time, San Angelo LIVE! reported.
The suspect allegedly refused to comply with Investigator Carnes’ commands and a physical altercation ensued, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page.
San Angelo Police Department (SAPD) officers responded to the scene to assist Investigator Carnes with the arrest and found him in the midst of a medical emergency, the department said in a press release.
Officers immediately called for an ambulance and the investigator was rushed to Shannon Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
Investigator Carnes devoted nearly 30 years of his life to his law enforcement career, according to his obituary.
He graduated from the Permian Basin Law Enforcement Academy in 1994 and began working for the Bastrop Police Department (BPD) that fall.
Investigator Carnes served the BPD for eight years as an officer, patrol sergeant, and field training officer, and was also chosen as “Officer of the Year,” according to his obituary.
He began working as a Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) Agent in early 2002, where he “again excelled in his duties and was honored with the title of ‘Agent of the Year,’ and he received a promotion to Enforcement Sergeant,” the tribute read.
He joined the district attorney’s office as an investigator after retiring from the TABC in the fall of 2020.
“He served and protected the people of Tom Green County and many surrounding counties until the day of his death,” his obituary read. “Steven had a true passion for his work.”
Investigator Carnes leaves behind his wife of nearly 27 years, Jodi, and his son, Bradley.
He is also survived by his sister, uncles, aunts, cousins, friends, and “countless members of his law enforcement family,” according to his obituary.
Investigator Carnes was laid to rest on Nov. 19, 2022.
🔹 Blessed Are The Peacemakers 🔹
Criminal Investigator Steven A. Carnes
Tom Green County District Attorney's Office, Texas
EOW: Sunday, November 13, 2022#EnoughIsEnough #OfficerDown #EOW #ThinBlueLine pic.twitter.com/nu7bOx91GK
— National Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) (@GLFOP) February 3, 2023
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Tom Green County District Attorney’s Office Criminal Investigator Steven Carnes, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.
