SWEETWATER, Texas — What began as a routine repair turned into a tragic loss for the Sweetwater community. Robert Saucedo, a 23-year-old employee with the City of Sweetwater’s Water Distribution Department, died Tuesday night while responding to a water leak in the 1000 block of East 13th Street.
According to family and city officials, Saucedo suffered a fatal injury involving a saw while working on the repair. Despite the immediate efforts of his coworkers to assist and save him, he was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was sadly pronounced dead.
His mother-in-law, Josie Jennings, who has known Saucedo since he was a teenager, shared the harrowing details passed on by his coworkers. “He just looked and he knew something was wrong. He was trying to talk. He couldn’t. So they pulled him out and they just gave him the shirt off,” she recalled.
Robert joined the City’s Water Distribution Department in October 2024 and quickly became known for his strong work ethic and positive spirit. He was passionate about his job — always the first to volunteer for overtime and on-call duties. “He always was excited over time, excited about just going on call,” Jennings said. “It just was always the first one to jump to say ‘yes, he’ll do it.’”
City officials remembered Robert as a promising and hardworking member of their team — a loss that is deeply felt across the department and the wider community. Yet despite the risks involved in his daily work, Jennings noted that workers in his position do not receive hazard pay.
Robert Saucedo leaves behind a five-year-old daughter. Jennings emphasized the importance of keeping his memory alive for her sake. “Because she’s only five. And I want her to have the best memories of him,” she said.
As Sweetwater grieves this heartbreaking loss, the community remembers Robert Saucedo not only for his dedication and service, but for the joy, love, and laughter he brought to those around him.
Rest in peace, Robert. You will not be forgotten.
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