Deputy Dies While Responding To Stabbing Scene, Police Said

HOUSTON — A Harris County Sheriff’s deputy died early Saturday morning shortly after he responded to a call for a stabbing in Cypress, officials said. Omar Diaz, 39, was hanging crime scene tape around the perimeter where the stabbing occurred when he suddenly fell ill and collapsed.

The incident happened at about 6:30 a.m. in the 7500 block of Stone Pine Lane, according to investigators.

He was rushed to an area hospital where he died a short time later. Diaz, who joined the department in 2009 as a detention officer, graduated from the basic peace officer courts in 2018 and was recently assigned patrol duties in northwest Harris County.

It is with great sadness that we must report the passing of our deputy. He was out on a stabbing scene this morning when he experienced a medical emergency. He was taken to Northwest Hospital but doctors were unable to revive him. Please keep him and his family in your prayers. pic.twitter.com/RncU2qYOVz
— Ed Gonzalez (@SheriffEd_HCSO) July 6, 2019

Diaz leaves behind a wife and a daughter.

"Deputy Omar Diaz served his community with honor and distinction," Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said in a tweet. "The entire Harris County Sheriff’s Office family is grieved by the tragic loss of our brother."

Deputies responded to the scene shortly after 4 a.m. after receiving a call that a woman had been stabbed multiple times, investigators said. When deputies arrived at the scene, they found the victim suffering from at least 10 stab wounds, investigators said.

She was taken to N. Cypress Hospital and is listed in stable condition. Investigators identified 37-year-old Paul Reyes as a person of interest in the woman’s stabbing. He has since been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and is still at large.

Anyone with information is urged to call the HCSO Violent Crimes unit at 713-274-9100, or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS (8477).

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