Houston Police Officer Shot And Killed, Another Is Wounded

HOUSTON, TX — One Houston police officer was killed and another was injured when they were shot while serving a warrant at an apartment complex near the George Bush Intercontinental Airport on Monday morning. The suspected shooter was also killed when police fired back, city of Houston officials said.

William "Bill" Jeffrey, a senior police officer, was shot several times just after 7 a.m. at the Timber Ridge Apartments and later died, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and Police Chief Troy Finner confirmed in a news conference later Monday morning.

"The city of Houston lost their very, very best," Turner said. "This is a tragic day today. It is another reminder that police work is inherently dangerous."

Jeffrey had been a Houston police officer for more than 30 years. His wife recently retired from the Houston Police Department, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page.

Police Sgt. Michael Vance, who was also shot multiple times Monday morning, was hospitalized in stable condition, Turner said. He underwent surgery later in the day.

Finner said someone immediately fired upon the officers, who were on a narcotics arrest warrant at the apartment complex, in the 5300 block of Aeropark in northeast Harris County. Another police official said the officers were on a "high level" felony warrant call.

Police officers returned fire on the suspect, killing him at the scene, Finner said. The 31-year-old man had not been immediately identified Monday morning.

Finner said a woman and children were home at the time the suspect opened fire. The woman, whom Finner said is the shooter's girlfriend, answered the door, according to police.

Harris County Sheriff's Office will conduct the criminal investigation.

Police vehicles escorted Jeffrey's body to the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences hours after the shooting. Service information was not immediately available.

HPD escorts fallen Senior Police Officer William Jeffrey to the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences https://t.co/5TpxeIFwUu
— Houston Police (@houstonpolice) September 20, 2021

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