Late Gonzales Sheriff Ynclan to be memorialized in DC

The late Robert C. Ynclan, former sheriff of Gonzales County, will be honored and his name engraved on the walls of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The names of those who have dedicated their lives to law enforcement will be properly dedicated during the 35th Annual Candlelight Vigil held on the National Mall between 4th and 7th streets in Washington, D. C., on Saturday, May 13, 2023. The annual ceremonies are hosted by the National Law Enforcement Memorial and Museum.

An estimated 30,000 people attend the Candlelight Vigil ceremony, including surviving family members, friends, law enforcement colleagues and others. Attending the ceremonies will be Ynclan’s survivors including wife, Cynthia, and children Jaime, Marco and Marrisa. Also traveling for the ceremonies are Cynthia’s mother, Mary Porras, and numerous other family members.  

Cynthia Ynclan says of this recognition, “It is bitter sweet for sure. I know Robert loved his community and law enforcement so this is an honor for him and our family.”

In 1962, President Kennedy proclaimed May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day, 

and the calendar week in which May 15 falls is designated at National Police Week.

Two groups of law enforcement officers will be honored during the Annual Candlelight Vigil this year. The names of 224 federal, state, tribal and local law enforcement officers who died in the line-of-duty in 2022 will be honored. Robert Ynclan joins an additional 331 officers who died in previous years (before 2022), and will also have their names inscribed this year.

Ynclan was raised on a working ranch in Cotulla and moved with his family to the LBJ Ranch in Stonewall, Texas, where both his father and mother worked. He developed a passion for law enforcement as he watched the Secret Service men serve and protect  President Lyndon B. Johnson. He joined the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and served as a State Trooper for 35 years.

For four years of his DPS service he was assigned to Governor Rick Perry’s security detail and was on assignment when the governor’s mansion was partially destroyed by arson in June 2008.

His good friend Michael Escalante says, “I met Robert arriving at my first duty station in Caldwell County in Luling, Texas, after graduating from the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) trooper academy. We quickly bonded like brothers because our families shared so many characteristics.

“Robert was a giant in stature and in the size of his heart and compassion for others. He loved his faith and family and that showed through his service to his Lord and Savior, his family and his community.

“Robert also worked for me and my company, The Escalante Company, which provides security for events and personal protection to high-profile individuals. He helped provide protection for Robin Williams, Will Ferrell, Sheryl Crow and Ben Stiller. Robert’s presence was larger than life and he always made our clients feel comfortable and safe. He represented my company to the highest standards,” Escalante adds.

Retiring from DPS in November 2020 to run for Gonzales County Sheriff, Ynclan won in a landslide and became the first Hispanic to serve in that role.  

At age 63, Ynclan passed away on September 5, 2021 after a lengthy battle with COVID-19. He was a very big man (often called a gentle giant) who through the years touched many thousands of lives with his soft-spoken words, firm but fair in nature and remarkable sense of humor.