OFFICER DOWN Constable Sgt. Mark Scianna

 

Bexar County Constable’s Office – Precinct 3, Texas

End of Watch: Saturday, August 27, 2011
Biographical Info
Age: 49

Tour of Duty: 12 years

Badge Number: 325

Incident DetailsCause of Death: Automobile accident

Date of Incident: August 27, 2011

Weapon Used: Not available

Suspect Info: Not available

Sergeant Mark Scianna was killed in an automobile accident at the intersection of Lockhill-Selma Road and George Road at 10:34 pm.

He had activated his emergency equipment and attempted to turn onto George Road when his vehicle left the roadway and struck a utility pole. The impact caused Sergeant Scianna to be ejected from the vehicle, which then rolled over and struck a second utility pole.

Dispatchers were alerted to the crash when Sergeant Scianna’s emergency button was activated on his portable radio. Bystanders also called 911 to report the crash and attempted to douse the flames with a garden hose until emergency crews arrived. Sergeant Scianna was pronounced dead at the scene.

Sergeant Scianna has served with the Bexar County Precinct 3 Constable’s Office for two years. He had previously served with the Castle Hills Police Department for 10 years and the New Britain (Connecticut) Police Department. He is survived by his three sons.

Agency Contact InformationBexar County Constable’s Office – Precinct 3
8918 Tesoro Drive, Suite 301
San Antonio, TX 78217

Phone: (210) 335-4750

Texas constable killed in fiery crash www.privateofficer.com

 

SAN ANTONIO TX Aug 30 2011- A dedicated law enforcement officer and loving father of a special-needs son was killed in a fiery crash in San Antonio Saturday night, when he crashed his Precinct 3 constable patrol car into two utility poles, officials said.

Sgt. Mark Scianna, 49, was working his normal overnight traffic supervisor shift Saturday night around 10:30 p.m., when he crashed into a utility pole on the far North Side.

The vehicle rolled over, ejecting Scianna, and then struck a second pole before bursting into flames, said Bexar County Sgt. E.M. Conger.

Firefighers saw the fireball, according to Precinct 3 Constable Mark Vojvodich, and rushed to the scene. Simultaneously, Scianna activated his emergency toner, which triggered first responders.

Scianna, who had worked in Vojvodich’s office for nearly two years, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The emergency lights on his patrol car were on, officials said, but investigators are unsure if he was chasing a motorist or trying to stop someone.

Conger said it was not immediately clear if he was wearing a safety belt, and investigators are still trying to determine what roles mechanical failure and speed played in the crash.

Loud bang heard

The wreck, which rang out through the neighborhood like an explosion, startled neighbors. Ruby Elizondo said she had been reading in her home at the intersection where the crash occurred and was startled by a loud bang.

“I jumped out of bed and looked out the window and saw flames burning up one of my trees,” said Elizondo, 90. “I ran outside. There was fire all the way up my driveway.”

Elizondo’s daughter, Sylvia Kappelmann, lives nearby and saw fire from her window after she heard what sounded like a bomb. She thought the wooded area across the street was ablaze and rushed over to help her mother, Kappelmann said.

“I grabbed a hose and started watering everything down,” she said. “The car was fully engulfed in flames.”

Originally from Connecticut, Scianna took a pay cut when he left the Castle Hills Police Department and joined Vojvodich’s office. Although he had opportunities to advance, Scianna declined promotions that would take him off of patrol.

“Mark absolutely loved his job,” Vojvodich said. “He loved being on the street and was very friendly and outgoing. He truly enjoyed serving the community.”

Nightly call to son

Around 10 p.m. every night, Scianna would call his 15-year-old son with special needs to wish him a good night.

“His son meant the world to him,” Vojvodich said. “He would stop whatever he was doing, call him, and even sing him a little song. He was an excellent father.”

Services for Scianna are pending, officials said.

Source:chron.com