Helotes police officer suspended following suspicion of assault arrest



by Andrew Delgado
SAN ANTONIO -- An officer with the Helotes Police Department has been placed on suspension without pay after being arrested Tuesday on suspicion of assault.
Lieutenant Elliot Rodriguez, 42, was taken into custody after reportedly strangling a family member, according to an affidavit.
Investigators said Rodriguez went to his girlfriend's house after work on Sunday, around 3 a.m., and got into an argument with her over a conversation she had been having with a male friend through text messages.
Rodriguez allegedly became angry and grabbed the victim, choking her with enough force to leave two red marks across her throat.
Rodriguez has been with HPD for close to 15 years and was employed with the Live Oak Police Department for more than a year.
The suspension will remain in effect until the case is closed, according to HPD.
The suspect is being forced to relinquish his badge, weapon, radio and all other department property. He cannot use his HPD commission for any police-related job and his position will be re-evaluated after the investigation is complete.