Harry Lane Thielepape Jr., a 57-year-old white male, died on January 26, 2008, in Houston, Texas. Thielepape, who served as a corporal with the Harris County Precinct 6 Constable's Office, was critically wounded during a shooting incident that occurred while he was arresting a suspect for possessing drugs and illegally possessing a handgun. The suspect, who had been handcuffed behind his back and placed in the backseat of Thielepape's patrol car, managed to move his handcuffed arms to the front
of his body. When Thielepape opened the back door of the patrol car, a struggle ensued, and the suspect gained control of one of Thielepape's handguns, opening fire and hitting him several times. Despite being critically wounded, Thielepape returned fire and killed the suspect. He was transported to a local hospital, where he remained until passing away without ever fully regaining consciousness.
Thielepape had served with the Harris County Precinct 6 Constable's Office for 12 years and had over 1,400 law enforcement training hours. He was known for his dedication to his work and his close ties to the Houston area. Prior to his career in law enforcement, Thielepape worked as a private investigator and security officer throughout Texas and Louisiana and served with the United States Merchant Marines for a time. He was a graduate of the University of Houston-Downtown Police Academy and had also worked with the Conroe Independent School District Police Department before rejoining Precinct 6 in 1996.
Thielepape is survived by his mother, Wanda Williams; sisters, Melanie Long, Jerry Hymel, and Joyce Grams; son, Harry Thielepape III, and his wife Crystal Thielepape, and their children Halie and Shy. He is preceded in death by his father, Harry Layne Thielepape Sr., and brother, Larry Wayne Thielepape. Funeral services for Thielepape were held on February 25, 2008, at the Catholic Charismatic Center in Houston, followed by interment at Garden Park Cemetery in Conroe, Texas. His death was a significant loss to the law enforcement community and his family, who remembered him for his dedication, bravery, and the special moments they shared with him.
