Slain Rescuer Was North Hills Man, Police Say

A man who stopped and rescued a woman from being beaten--and then was allegedly run over by her attacker and killed--was identified Monday by police as Jose Felix Garcia Mercado of North Hills.

“He was kind and generous and would help anyone who needed help,” said Raeann Mercado, his sister-in-law.

Police said Jose Mercado, 37, a construction worker, was driving on Parthenia Street near Columbus Avenue about 2 a.m. Sunday in North Hills when he spotted a friend, Sylvia Gamez, being beaten by another man.

Mercado stopped to help her, police said, and she got into his car. The attacker, whom police decline to identify, then allegedly followed them in a pickup truck. When Mercado stopped and got out of his car to confront him, the man ran him over, police said, and then fled the scene.

Family members said Mercado’s body will be flown to Mexico, where he will be buried in his hometown of Sombrerete. He leaves two daughters, Trininad, 16, and Consuelo, 8. He was not married at the time he was killed.

His sister-in-law described him as being particularly close to his brothers. “He loves baseball,” she said.

“He and his brothers played every Sunday. The team won’t be complete anymore.”