In Memoriam 2026
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Deputy Sheriff
Erika Serrato
Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, Texas
End Of Watch: Sunday, June 28, 2026
Deputy Sheriff Erika Serrato was killed while directing traffic near the Woodlands Parkway exit on Interstate 45 North, at approximately 3:00 am.
At approximately 2:40 am, deputies were called to assist with the investigation and traffic control at a multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 45 North. While directing traffic near two marked patrol vehicles, with emergency lights activated, Deputy Serrato was struck by a heavy-duty commercial vehicle that was pulling a trailer. Deputy Serrato was transported to a local hospital where she succumbed to her injuries.
One other Montgomery County Deputy was also injured after being struck by debris. He was treated at the local hospital for minor injuries. The driver of the vehicle was also transported to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Deputy Serrato had served with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office for six years.
State Trooper
Sergio Romero
Texas Department of Public Safety
Texas Highway Patrol, Texas
End Of Watch: Wednesday, June 17, 2026
Trooper Sergio Romero was killed in a vehicle crash on U.S. Highway 287 near Childress, Texas.
Around 4:00 p.m., Trooper Romero was attempting to pull over a vehicle when a tractor-trailer pulled out in front of his patrol vehicle. He died at the scene.
Trooper Romero had served with the Texas Department of Public Safety – Texas Highway Patrol for nine months and previously served with the Hall County Sheriff’s Office. Survivors include his wife and two sons.
State Trooper
Sandra Blair
DeSoto Police Department, Texas
End Of Watch: Tuesday, May 26, 2026
Police Officer Sandra Blair succumbed to injuries she received when she was struck by an intoxicated driver while investigating a crash on Texas Highway 35 in DeSoto on June 17, 1999.
Officer Blair was transported to the hospital with head and internal injuries, fractured legs, and a fractured pelvis. She developed a seizure disorder and other medical complications, rendering her medically disabled. She passed away from complications of her seizures on May 26, 2026.
The driver was arrested and convicted of intoxication assault and leaving the scene of an accident, causing serious bodily injury.
Officer Blair had served with the DeSoto Police Department for two years. After being medically discharged from law enforcement, she served as an administrative assistant with the DeSoto Police Department. Survivors include her daughter, mother, brother, sister, companion, and two grandchildren.
Reserve Deputy Constable
Heather Avery
Jefferson County Constable’s Office, Precinct 1Texas
End Of Watch: Friday, April 24, 2026
Reserve Deputy Heather Avery was killed near mile marker 830 on Interstate 10, in Chambers County, while directing traffic in a construction zone at approximately 8:00 a.m.
Reserve Deputy Avery was helping direct traffic in the outside lane of the interstate, near her patrol vehicle with the emergency lights activated, when a commercial construction truck traveling east struck the rear of the patrol vehicle. She was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The driver of the commercial vehicle was not injured.
Reserve Deputy Avery had served with the Jefferson County Constable Precinct 1 for four years. Survivors include her husband, daughter, and granddaughter.
Deputy Sheriff
Kenneth Lewis
Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office, Texas
End Of Watch: Monday, February 23, 2026
Deputy Sheriff Kenneth Lewis succumbed to injuries he received when he was struck by a vehicle while helping a stranded motorist on Interstate 10 in Houston on February 21, 2026.
Around 3:40 a.m., Deputy Lewis stopped on I-10 near Eldridge Road to help a motorist on the side of the highway. While he was outside his vehicle, a passing vehicle struck him and kept driving.
Deputy Lewis was transported to the hospital, where he passed away on February 23, 2026.
Deputy Constable
Aaron Armstrong
Caldwell County Constable’s Office, Texas
Precinct 3
End Of Watch: Sunday, January 4, 2026
Deputy Constable Aaron Armstrong was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man at Club Rodeo at 9515 North Lamar Boulevard in Austin.
At 1:59 a.m., Deputy Constable Armstrong, who was in uniform and identified himself as a peace officer, removed a subject from the club who was causing a disturbance. The subject pushed Deputy Armstrong and fled into the parking lot. The subject remained in the parking lot with a group of people and began shouting at Deputy Armstrong. When Deputy Armstrong attempted to arrest the man, the group prevented him from reaching the subject, who pulled out a gun and fired multiple times at Deputy Armstrong. Deputy Armstrong returned fire before he collapsed. One of the men in the group ran over Deputy Constable in his vehicle when he fled the scene.
Deputy Constable Armstrong was transported to the hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds.
The shooter, who had an extensive criminal record and was on probation, was apprehended, admitted his involvement, and was charged with capital murder. The driver was charged with assault of a peace officer.
Deputy Constable Armstrong had served with the Caldwell County Constable’s Office – Precinct 3 for over one year and previously served with the Smithville Police Department.
Police Officer
Elijah Garretson
Copperas Cove Police Department, Texas
End Of Watch: Saturday, January 10, 2026
Police Officer Elijah Garretson was ambushed and killed near the intersection of Lost Trail and Great Hills Drive while responding to reports of a suspicious person.
After lengthy negotiations with officers, the suspect was discovered dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Officer Garretson had served with the Copperas Cove Police Department for seven months. A recent graduate of the Central Texas College Police Academy, he received the Academic Award for the highest-grade point average in the class.
