Sergeant Harold Preston, a 41-year-old Houston Police Department veteran, died from wounds he sustained in the shooting.
Houston authorities confirmed Tuesday that one police officer on duty was killed and another injured in a shooting.
The shooting occurred during what appeared to be a domestic disturbance involving the suspect’s “estranged” partner, Houston police chief Art Acevedo said during a news conference.
Acevedo described a scene in which the suspect’s estranged partner and son went home to collect things.
As the suspect’s son approached the house, he noticed that his father was armed and warned the police, who were already there, of a service call.
The suspect began shooting at the police, fatally wounding Sergeant Harold Lloyd Preston, a 41-year-old police veteran in his sixties, and Officer Courtney Waller.
The officers were taken to the hospital for further treatment along with the teenage son who was shot in the arm.
Acevedo said the suspect was “taken into custody without further incident” after police responded to a call for help at 9:25 am (14:25 GMT).
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, who also attended the press conference, thanked Preston: “We want to celebrate his life, ministry and commitment to this city. He was a police officer in the city of Houston for about 41 years. “
Sergeant Harold Lloyd Preston
Houston Police Department
Sworn Date: August 25, 1979
End of the watch: October 20, 2020
HPD Academy class: 86
Years of service: 41
Rest in peace brother. You will always be remembered and your victim will never be forgotten. pic.twitter.com/kYNMmBioIN
– Houston Police Officers’ Union (@HPOUTX) October 20, 2020
Acevedo said at the press conference that Preston was able to see his mother before he died.
“I don’t call him a hero because he died today, but he’s a hero. Because he was as good as a cop, he was a better person, ”Acevedo concluded.
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