Harris County Sheriff's Office, Texas
End of Watch: Sunday, July 1, 1979
Age: 43
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: July 1, 1979
Weapon Used: Handgun
Suspect Info: One shot and killed; One executed
Reserve Deputy Sheriff Joe Westbrook was shot execution-style while moonlighting as a security guard at a local restaurant at 2120 W 18th Street.
Two men entered the restaurant and one of the men began talking to the deputy. The second man walked behind Deputy Westbrook, produced a handgun, and shot him in the back of the head without warning. The suspect then shot him three more times after he fell to the ground. The man also shot the cook as he ran towards the manager's office.
The manager, hearing the gunshots, grabbed his own gun and shot the suspect as he came into the office, killing him. The second suspect fled the scene but was later arrested and executed for Reserve Deputy Westbrook's murder.