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January 29, 2021
County works toward dedicating part of Hwy. 173 to fallen Marine veteran, Bandera hero
By Jessica Nohealapa’ahi Goode
The Bandera Prophet
Commissioners approved a resolution supporting a bill that dedicates a portion of Hwy. 173 S. to Rodney Buentello, who died in 2016 while rescuing two teenagers at the dam in Bandera City Park.
County Attorney Janna Lindig, who is spearheading the effort, said she started working with Representative Andrew Murr last Spring, however things got off track at the onset of the pandemic. Lindig said this year’s legislature is moving forward with the bill.
The portion of Hwy. 173 to be dedicated begins at the south end of the bridge to the county line between Bandera and Medina County, and will be officially designated as Master Sergeant Rodney Lee Buentello Memorial Highway.
On June 8, 2016, Buentello, of San Antonio, jumped into the river to save two teenagers who fell into the water while walking across the dam. He got the teenagers out, but was unable to reach the surface after and drowned.
“Most of us understand the severity of the river when it is swollen. He jumped in to save the children, and lost his life,” Lindig said. “He left behind his wife and three children who were with him and watched it.” Lindig said she would pay the expenses involved with raising highway signs to make the new naming publicly noted.
County Attorney Janna Lindig, who is spearheading the effort, said she started working with Representative Andrew Murr last Spring, however things got off track at the onset of the pandemic. Lindig said this year’s legislature is moving forward with the bill.
The portion of Hwy. 173 to be dedicated begins at the south end of the bridge to the county line between Bandera and Medina County, and will be officially designated as Master Sergeant Rodney Lee Buentello Memorial Highway.
On June 8, 2016, Buentello, of San Antonio, jumped into the river to save two teenagers who fell into the water while walking across the dam. He got the teenagers out, but was unable to reach the surface after and drowned.
“Most of us understand the severity of the river when it is swollen. He jumped in to save the children, and lost his life,” Lindig said. “He left behind his wife and three children who were with him and watched it.” Lindig said she would pay the expenses involved with raising highway signs to make the new naming publicly noted.