1993 was being a placid year. Politically, the summer seemed to calm the tension of some intense elections in which Felipe González had managed to turn the polls around and win, for the last time, the General Elections against a PP that for the first time was seen as a clear favorite. The honeys of the glorious 1992 still tasted sweet on the palate of some Spaniards who, as is now the case with Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz or Carlos Sainz Jr, had their hopes pinned on a man who never disappointed. So, it was Miguel Induráin, who on July 25 of that year arrived for the third time in yellow on the Champs-Élysées after a real exhibition in which Tony Rominguer, his fiercest rival, could not even overshadow him. The Swiss had to settle for escorting him along with Pole Zenon Jaskula on the podium. In Ceuta, Francisco Fráiz was mayor and the summer was certainly calm. But everything changed, everything became darker, on July 25, at the same time that Paris surrendered for the third consecutive year to the “Eagle of Villaba.”
The same July 25 that the Local Police received a notice of a robbery at home in the outskirts. Two officers show up at the scene and see the thief fleeing across the rooftops. Without hesitating for a second, they climb up and start running after him. A fatal decision.
They both fell through a skylight. One of them, José María, suffered injuries of varying degrees, from which he has managed to recover and lead a more or less normal life thanks to an enviable tenacity. But, unfortunately, the worst part was taken by his partner.
His name was Juan Carlos Arriaga. He was unable to overcome the injuries from the blow and died that same afternoon. Since then, every July 25, the taste in the mouth is more bitter among the most veteran agents, the same ones who tell their story to the newest agents. Juan Carlos Arriaga died: he is the only Local Police officer who died in the line of duty, and we hope that he continues to hold such a position for the rest. But the memory of him remains and his sad ending, that of giving his life to fulfill his obligation, becomes a legend every time the Day of Santiago Apostol arrives. One day, 29 years ago, with two heroes: while the whole of Spain acclaimed Miguel, Ceuta cried for Juan Carlos.
–
