033122 HARRIS COUNTY DEPUTY SHOT AND KILLED

Описание: About 7:45 pm Thursday Harris County Sheriff Deputy Darren Almendarez who is assigned to the Harris County Auto Theft Division was off duty and grocery shopping with his wife. They were at the Smart Shop Grocery Store on Fm 1960 East at Aldine Westfield. His sister's birthday was today and they were getting supplies for a Friday birthday party for her. As they exited the store they encountered two and possibly three males cutting the catalytic converter out of his wife's Toyota Tundra. As he engaged them he was shot. He was able to return fire hitting the windshield of their vehicle at least eight times. As he lay in the parking lot the suspects fled. It is believed the weapons were thrown out of the vehicle just down the street, however, officials have not yet disclosed the information on that. A call was put out in an attempt to locate a black small hatchback. Believing at least one of the suspects was shot a hospital check was being done. It was then a Harris County Deputy working off duty at Houston Northwest Hospital notified units that two shooting victims just arrived at the hospital and the black vehicle was displaying multiple bullet holes in the windshield. Meanwhile, CPR was being performed on the Deputy. ESD 11 arrived and medics worked on the deputy trying to stabilize him for at least 30-minutes before being transported with an escort to Houston Northwest Hospital. Armaderez died a short time after arriving at the hospital. Sheriff Gonzalez said deputy Almendarez saw what was happening and told his wife to run as he encountered the suspects. Almendarez was with the Harris County Sheriffs' Office for 23-years and was 51-years old. His family was brought to the hospital. Over 100-officers lined up to form a Wall of Honor as their fallen comrade's flag-draped body exited the emergency room. Close to 100 patrol units then left escorting his body to the Harris County Forensic Center.