Houston Police Department Officer John Salvaggio was killed November 25, 1990, when he was struck by a hit-and-run driver while conducting a traffic stop. As he asked the driver for proof of insurance another vehicle struck him, throwing him 30 feet. He was flown to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

The driver then fled the scene but turned himself in two days later. The man was a known drug abuser and it was believed he did not stop because he had drugs in the car. The suspect was sentenced to five years in jail but released after serving only half of the sentence. The man has since died.

John had been with HPD for seven years and was survived by his wife Mary Bess, two daughters and 10-month-old son.