Bob Klett, San Marcos interim police chief, said in a release April 21 both officer Franco Stewart and Justin Mueller are showing signs of recovery as they were able to communicate with loved ones April 20.

Mueller and Stewart were shot in the line of duty April 18 during a domestic violence call. Officer Justin Putnam was killed by the gunman in the ambush attack.

Mueller and Stewart are in critical but stable condition, according to the city.

A fundraiser has been organized for the three officers and their families. Online donations may be made at www.smcpaaa.org/donations-putnam-mueller-stewart.

Putnam graduated from Texas State University and was a member of the San Marcos Police Department since Nov. 3, 2014. He was engaged to be married. His father was a veteran of the Austin Police Department.


Stewart started at SMPD on Dec. 3, 2019, after serving with the McAllen Police Department for 2 1/2 years and briefly with the U.S. Border Patrol before returning to street patrol.

Mueller joined SMPD as a telecommunications operator in 2007, rising through the ranks to become a supervisor. He became an officer on June 7, 2019.

Donations may be mailed to San Marcos Police Department, Attn: Tammy Strakos, 2300 S. I-35, San Marcos, TX 78666.