Arcelia Balbontin

How they died

Less-than-lethal force

Arcelia Balbontin was stabbed to death by her husband, off-duty officer Rafael Balbontin, 32. At about 9:15 p.m., Rafael Balbontin reportedly met his parents at a Mexican restaurant, saying he was having relationship problems and that he was going to kill himself, then left. His parents called their daughter and told her to warn Arcelia Balbontin. She did, and then drove over to the couple's house. Arcelia Balbontin took guns from a safe and hid them. Rafael Balbontin's sister met her brother outside, but he told her not to get involved and went inside. She then called 911. Police arrived by 10:37 p.m., but it was too late. Rafael Balbontin was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to 25 years in prison. At the time, Rafael Balbontin was also being sued for the October 2002 shooting death of unarmed Juan Salazar while off-duty. During that incident, Balbontin also shot the boy's father and another man.

Why we remember them

This record exists so that Arcelia Balbontin, and all who are named in this archive, are never reduced to a number.

References & sources