Changes

==Political career==

==Political career==

In 1976, Santos upset in the [[Democratic Party|Democratic]] [[primary]] election veteran Sheriff Porfirio Lauro "P. L." Flores (1912-1993), the candidate of the then ruling Independent Club and the father-in-law of the subsequent [[district attorney]], [[Julio A. Garcia]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/wmiqt|title=Independent Club|publisher=[[Texas State Historical Association]]|accessdate=January 29, 2014}}</ref>Santos had been chief deputy under Sheriff Flores.<ref name=arambula/> Santos then faced no opposition in the [[general election]]. While he was sheriff, Santos graduated from the [[FBI]] Academy]  at Quantico,  [[Virginia]].<ref name=obit/>  

In 1976, Santos upset in the [[Democratic Party|Democratic]] [[primary]] election veteran Sheriff Porfirio Lauro "P. L." Flores (1912-1993), the candidate of the then ruling Independent Club and the father-in-law of the subsequent [[district attorney]], [[Julio A. Garcia]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/wmiqt|title=Independent Club|publisher=[[Texas State Historical Association]]|accessdate=January 29, 2014}}</ref>Santos had been chief deputy under Sheriff Flores.<ref name=arambula/> Santos then faced no opposition in the [[general election]]. While he was sheriff, Santos graduated from the [[FBI]] Academy at Quantico,  [[Virginia]].<ref name=obit/>  

After three  four-year terms as sheriff, Santos himself was upset in the 1988 primary by another Democrat, [[Juan Garza]], who held the office for four terms until his own defeat in 2004 by Ricardo "Rick" Flores.<ref name=arambula>{{cite web|url=http://madmax.lmtonline.com/textarchives/010305/s98.htm|title=Odie Arambula, Monday Wash: Newcomers, holdovers|publisher=''Laredo Morning Times''|accessdate=January 29, 2014}}</ref>

After three  four-year terms as sheriff, Santos himself was upset in the 1988 primary by another Democrat, [[Juan Garza]], who held the office for four terms until his own defeat in 2004 by Ricardo "Rick" Flores.<ref name=arambula>{{cite web|url=http://madmax.lmtonline.com/textarchives/010305/s98.htm|author=[[Odie Arambula]]|title=Monday Wash: Newcomers, holdovers|publisher=''Laredo Morning Times''|accessdate=January 29, 2014}}</ref>

Santos' defeat is attributed to a failed attempt by inmates on February 3, 1986, to break out of the former jail while the new structure was still a few months from opening. The previous structure had been condemned by the Texas Jail Commission. The breakout attempt cost the life of a young jail guard, Jose Gerardo "Curly" Herrera<ref name=rgarcia/> (1963-1986), in whose honor an historical marker has been placed at the Webb County Courthouse.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.markeroni.com/catalog/display.php?code=TX_M_00009|title=Jose Gerardo "Curly" Herrera|publisher=markeroni.com|accessdate=January 29, 2014}}</ref>  

Santos' defeat is attributed to a failed attempt by inmates on February 3, 1986, to break out of the former jail while the new structure was still a few months from opening. The previous structure had been condemned by the Texas Jail Commission. The breakout attempt cost the life of a young jail guard, Jose Gerardo "Curly" Herrera<ref name=rgarcia/> (1963-1986), in whose honor an historical marker has been placed at the Webb County Courthouse.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.markeroni.com/catalog/display.php?code=TX_M_00009|title=Jose Gerardo "Curly" Herrera|publisher=markeroni.com|accessdate=January 29, 2014}}</ref>