SAPD Officer Matthew Medina honored after rescuing wounded colleague during Stone Oak shooting that injured seven officers

A body-camera record of a January 2025 ambush

A San Antonio Police Department officer has been recognized for actions taken during the Jan. 22, 2025, shooting at the Sonterra Heights apartments in Stone Oak, where seven officers were wounded during a response to a reported suicide in progress.

Officer Matthew Medina received a Meritorious Conduct Award during the department’s annual awards ceremony on March 6, 2026. The award is used by the department to recognize heroic deeds and exceptional conduct involving significant risk to an officer’s safety while performing duties.

What happened at Sonterra Heights

Police were dispatched to the 18700 block of Stone Oak Parkway at about 8:30 p.m. on Jan. 22, 2025, after a family member reported a “suicide in progress.” As officers arrived and moved toward the apartment, the suspect opened fire, striking multiple officers and triggering an extended standoff.

The suspect was later identified as Brandon Scott Poulos, 46. Authorities reported that Poulos was found dead later that night; in the immediate aftermath, officials said it was not yet clear whether he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound or was shot during the response.

The rescue that led to the award

Video released after the incident shows an early phase of the gunfire and the urgent effort to pull a wounded officer out of danger. In the footage, Officer Jesus Hilario Marquez is seen after being hit in the leg; a tourniquet is applied while gunfire and radio warnings continue. Medina then moves to Marquez, lifts and helps carry him away from the immediate threat area.

The body-camera sequence documents officers seeking cover, relaying the suspect’s approximate position, and attempting to evacuate the wounded while the shooter remained nearby.

Awards ceremony also recognized other officers

During the same ceremony, other officers were also honored for actions connected to the Stone Oak shooting. Five officers received Purple Heart awards, which the department uses to recognize officers who are killed or sustain serious bodily injury while facing a hostile situation in the line of duty.

Key verified facts at a glance

• The shooting occurred on Jan. 22, 2025, at the Sonterra Heights apartments near Stone Oak Parkway and Loop 1604.
• Seven SAPD officers were shot and wounded while responding to a suicide-in-progress call.
• Officer Matthew Medina received a Meritorious Conduct Award on March 6, 2026, tied to the rescue of a wounded colleague during the incident.
• Authorities identified the suspect as 46-year-old Brandon Scott Poulos, who was later found dead after an hourslong standoff.

Why the footage matters

The release of body-camera video in the Stone Oak case provides a time-stamped record of decision-making under fire: the moment an officer is hit, the immediate tourniquet application, and the rapid evacuation amid continuing uncertainty about the shooter’s location. In the context of officer safety and critical-incident response, such recordings are increasingly central to documenting events, evaluating tactics, and explaining why certain actions are recognized as extraordinary under departmental award standards.