SAPD Officer Suspended After Repeatedly Punching DUI Suspect In Blood Draw Room, Had To Be Removed By Other Officers

SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio police officer has been suspended for 12 days after repeatedly punching a drunken driving suspect during a blood draw, SAPD suspension records show.

Officer Domingo Rios III was helping another officer handle a resisting suspect who had a search warrant for a blood draw in March 2024, records show.

The suspect, Mario Diaz, told the nurse and police that he refused to give a blood sample and implied he would resist.

Rios and three other officers grabbed Diaz and placed him in a restraint chair.

Rios said Diaz tried to resist the restraint chair and Diaz spat in his face. Rios then began punching Diaz with a closed fist.

Before Diaz spat in Rios’ face, another officer in the room reported that Rios slapped Diaz.

The same officer said Rios had to be physically removed from the room by other SAPD officers.

Diaz was charged with driving while intoxicated, according to Bexar County court records.

According to Texas Law Enforcement Commission records, Rios has worked for SAPD since November 2019.

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