The San Antonio Police Department disciplined one of its officers after an Internal Affairs investigation concluded he made a series of critical errors while handling a man experiencing a mental health crisis. Those mistakes, according to the department’s own findings, allowed the man to remain in possession of a stolen firearm while under police custody. The officer later accepted a 30-day unpaid suspension rather than challenge the disciplinary action. The suspension agreement was signed in May 2026, by then-Police Chief William P. McManus.

The discipline stems from an incident that occurred on December 11, 2025, while Officer Adam Lopez was working an off-duty assignment at 928 W. Commerce Street in downtown San Antonio. According to the disciplinary records, Lopez was notified that a man was possibly suffering from a mental health crisis. After speaking with the individual, Lopez determined the man posed a danger to himself or others and took him into custody under an emergency detention. What happened next became the focus of an Internal Affairs investigation. 

Body Camera Evidence Became the Centerpiece

According to the suspension order, body-worn camera footage showed Lopez escorting the man into what investigators described as a “glass room” before telling him to wait there. The man remained inside the room with all of his personal belongings, including a bag. Investigators determined Lopez then walked away to another work area and did not return for approximately 30 minutes.

After the extended delay, Lopez requested that an on-duty officer transport the man to a hospital for emergency detention. Once the individual arrived at the hospital, security personnel discovered a stolen firearm inside the bag that had remained with him throughout the encounter.

Investigators Found Multiple Failures

Internal Affairs concluded Lopez failed to exercise sound judgment by leaving a person experiencing a mental health crisis unattended for an extended period of time. Investigators also found he failed to search or frisk the man’s property before arranging for transport to the hospital. Those actions, according to the disciplinary findings, violated departmental expectations for safely handling individuals taken into emergency detention.

The investigation also called out Lopez’s written offense report. In that report, Lopez wrote that while his body-worn camera was muted during notifications, the individual remained seated in the glass room “where I could visually see him.” Internal Affairs concluded that statement was not accurate when compared to the body camera footage reviewed during the investigation.

Officer Accepted Discipline

Rather than pursue the appeal process available under the collective bargaining agreement, Lopez entered into an agreed suspension with the department. Under the agreement, he accepted a 30-day suspension without pay beginning July 20, 2026, and ending August 18, 2026. 

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