In Memoriam 2024
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Detective
Fernando Esqueda
Harris County Sheriff’s Office, Texas
End of Watch Wednesday, June 10, 2024
Detective Fernando Esqueda was shot and killed from ambush after locating a vehicle wanted in connection to an aggravated assault.
The subject had become engaged in an argument with a restaurant employee over an incorrect order and pistol-whipped the worker. Witnesses provided responding deputies with the suspect’s license plate number, which detectives used to locate an area of interest using a license plate reader system. Detectives conducted an initial search of the area but didn’t locate the vehicle and cleared the area.
A short time later Detective Esqueda returned to the area and located the vehicle unoccupied in the 13200 block of Italian Cypress Trail. As he coordinated with other deputies the subject ambushed him and shot him multiple times. The responding deputies transported Detective Esqueda to a local hospital where he succumbed to his wounds.
The subject remains at large.
Detective Esqueda had served with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office for five years. He was assigned to the Violent Person Task Force and was working mandatory patrols in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl.
Senior Police Officer
Vicente Ortiz, Jr.
Corpus Christi Police Department, Texas
End of Watch Saturday, June 1, 2024
Senior Police Officer Vicente Ortiz succumbed to injuries sustained 10 days earlier when he was involved in a motorcycle crash while escorting a funeral procession.
He was traveling southbound on Kostoryz Road when another driver attempted to cross the road at the intersection with Sacky Drive. Officer Ortiz was unable to stop and struck the other vehicle. He was transported to a local hospital where he underwent multiple surgeries before succumbing to his injuries.
Officer Ortiz had served with the Corpus Christi Police Department for 15 years. He is survived by his wife and two children.
Assistant Chief
Kevin Linn Palmer
North Richland Hills Police Department, Texas
End of Watch Wednesday, May 1, 2024
Assistant Chief Kevin Palmer suffered a fatal heart attack after completing a mandatory physical fitness test at 4301 City Point Drive in North Richland Hills on April 30, 2024.
After collapsing, resuscitation efforts were immediately administered. He was transferred to Medical City North Hills Hospital where he was unable to be revived. He remained on life support until his organs could be donated.
Assistant Chief Palmer was a United States Air Force veteran and served with the North Richland Hills Police Department for 20 years. He is survived by his wife and two sons.
Police Officer
Kyle Hicks
Corpus Christi Police Department, Texas
End of Watch Wednesday, April 24, 2024
Police Officer Kyle Hicks succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained four days earlier while responding to a domestic disturbance in the 4900 block of Burnham Drive.
He and another officer located the apartment at about 12:30 am and could hear a man and woman arguing inside. A male subject came to the door, and a struggle ensued, during which Officer Hicks was shot. The other officer was able to return fire and killed the subject.
Officer Hicks was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his wounds. His organs were donated.
Officer Hicks had served with the Corpus Christi Police Department for two years. He is survived by his wife and four children.
Investigator
John Hampton Coddou, III
Harris County Sheriff’s Office, Texas
End of Watch Tuesday, April 23, 2024
Investigator John Coddou was struck and killed while helping at the scene of a vehicle crash on the Grand Parkway in Houston.
At 9:30 a.m., Investigator Coddou responded to a minor collision near the Cumberland Ridge Drive intersection. He parked on the center median with his lights activated. A truck traveling north swerved to avoid hitting the patrol vehicle and struck Investigator Coddou in the median.
He was transported by Life Flight to Memorial Hermann Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries.
Investigator Coddou was a United States Army veteran and had served with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office for 20 years. He is survived by his wife and mother
Border Patrol Agent
Christopher Luna
U. S. Dept. of Homeland Security
U.S. Border Patrol, Texas
End of Watch Friday, March 8, 2024
Border Patrol Agent Chris Luna was killed in a helicopter crash along with two members of the New York National Guard in Starr County, Texas.
The New York National Guard UH-72 Lakota helicopter was supporting the Department of Homeland Security as part of Joint Task Force North. Agent Luna was onboard the military aircraft when it crashed just north of the Rio Grande River, approximately two miles southeast of La Grulla, Texas. Chief Warrant Officer 2 Casey Frankoski and Chief Warrant Officer 2 John Grassia were also killed in the crash, while a third service member was injured.
Agent Luna was survived by his wife, two children, parents, and brother.
Deputy Sheriff
Bryan “Brad” Sweetman
Harris County Sheriff’s Office, Texas
End of Watch Monday, March 4, 2024
Deputy Sheriff Brad Sweetman died from the effects of chemical exposure while providing traffic control during multi-day evacuations around the area of a chemical plant explosion in Crosby.
In August 2017, Hurricane Harvey caused devastating flooding, and as a result, the Arkema Chemical Plant’s refrigeration system failed, forcing the evacuation of people within the radius of the plant. A couple of days later, emergency responders encountered a cloud of gas and went to the hospital for exposure to smoke, headaches, and nausea. Later that night, one of the trailers ignited, and the fires burned for three days.
Deputy Sweetman suffered lung damage and respiratory issues until he passed away on March 4, 2024.
Deputy Sweetman had served with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office for 39 years. He was survived by his wife, son, daughter, sister, brother, and grandson
Deputy Sheriff
Charles Rivette
Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, Texas
End of Watch Wednesday, February 21, 2024
Deputy Sheriff Charles Rivette was killed in a crash on southbound Interstate 45 in Centerville, Texas, at 10:30 p.m.
Deputy Rivette was a passenger in a patrol vehicle transporting an inmate from Oklahoma to Montgomery County when it struck a tractor-trailer. Unable to stop, two tractor-trailers crashed into the back of the patrol vehicle. The impact forced the vehicle into the northbound lanes. Deputy Rivette was thrown out of the vehicle and was hit by a pickup truck traveling in the northbound lanes. The other deputy, the inmate, and one of the tractor-trailer drivers also suffered serious injuries.
Deputy Rivette had served with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office for 18 years. He is survived by his wife and children. His son also serves with the agency.
Deputy Sheriff
Rondald Bates
Harris County Sheriff’s Office, Texas
End of Watch Saturday, February 10, 2024
Deputy Sheriff Rondald Bates was killed in a vehicle crash while en route to the Harris County jail at 10:00 p.m.
After finishing an overtime assignment, Deputy Bates was traveling on Travis Street when he lost control of his vehicle and struck a tree near Richmond Avenue in Houston. He was transported to the Ben Taub Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
Deputy Bates had served with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office for 31 years. He is survived by his wife and two children.
