UPDATE: Four men, including a former sheriff’s deputy and a constable officer, are facing serious charges following a violent bar fight in Guadalupe County. The incident occurred on November 3, 2023, at the Backwoods Icehouse on 3301 Dreibrodt Road, escalating into a chaotic scene that has raised significant concerns among local authorities.
The Guadalupe County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) reports that the fight involved Alberto Trujano Jr., Juan Herrera, and Sheriden Murray. Murray, who previously served as a deputy with the GCSO, was working for the Blanco County Constable Precinct 1 at the time of the incident. Another individual, Manuel Hernandez, a current deputy, fled the scene before law enforcement arrived.
Trujano was arrested on a warrant for parole violation and charged with disorderly conduct – fighting. Herrera required medical treatment at a nearby hospital and subsequently received the same disorderly conduct charge.
An ongoing investigation by the GCSO’s Criminal Investigations Division and the Texas Department of Public Safety’s Rangers Division has scrutinized the actions of Murray and Hernandez. On November 19 and 20, arrest warrants were issued for the pair. Murray faces charges of unlawful restraint, while Hernandez was charged with disorderly conduct as well.
Notably, Hernandez has been placed on administrative leave during the investigation. He was terminated and booked into the Guadalupe County Jail on Wednesday. Murray, as of Thursday morning, had yet to be taken into custody regarding his arrest warrant.
Sheriff Joshua Ray emphasized the seriousness of the situation, stating, “Our personnel will be held to the highest possible standards of conduct and accountability. I will not tolerate any form of unbecoming or criminal behavior from a law enforcement officer—of any agency—and especially from within my own ranks.”
This shocking incident raises critical questions about the behavior of law enforcement officers and the standards upheld within their ranks. The investigation remains ongoing, and further developments are expected as authorities continue to evaluate the events surrounding the bar fight.
Stay tuned for updates as this story unfolds.
