El Paso Police Department, Texas
End of Watch: Tuesday, October 4, 1927
Age: 46
Tour of Duty: 18 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: June 13, 1921
Weapon Used: Handgun
Suspect Info: Never apprehended
Sergeant Houston succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained 6 years earlier when he, Captain Harry Phoenix, and another officer questioned two suspicious men on Piedras Street near Alameda Avenue at 11:20 am.
When the officers attempted to arrest the men, a gun battle ensued. Captain Phoenix was shot in the head and killed instantly.
Sergeant Houston also sustained serious gunshot wounds in the shootout. Despite serious wounds and frequent trips to the hospital, Sergeant Houston remained with the police department and was promoted to Captain. He eventually succumbed to the wounds on October 4, 1927.
The two suspects fled to Mexico and were never apprehended.
Captain Houston was a United States Army veteran who had served with the El Paso Police Department for 10 years and previously served with the Lawton Police Department in Oklahoma. He was survived by his wife, daughter, son, and mother.