Henry Hank Nava Jr., a 39-year-old male of Hispanic ethnicity, was a dedicated officer with the Fort Worth Police Department. On November 29, 2005, Officer Nava was fatally shot while attempting to arrest a suspect on a felony warrant. He and two other officers went to the suspect's home on Seth Barwise Street, near Brahma Trail, to arrest him on a parole violation warrant. The officers were invited inside the residence by a female who resided there. The female gave the officers verbal consent to enter and search for the suspect after stating to them that the man was not at the location. As the officers entered, she alerted the suspect by stating loudly, "the police are here and are going to search the house." As Officer Nava opened a bedroom door, the man emerged with a 9mm handgun and shot Officer Nava in the head, just above the left eye.
After shooting Officer Nava, the suspect fled to a nearby home where he took the female resident hostage for two hours before releasing her and surrendering to police. Officer Nava was taken to Harris Methodist Fort Worth Hospital where he died two days later from his wound. The suspect, identified as Stephen Lance Herd, was convicted of capital murder on November 13, 2007. Herd later died in prison.
Officer Nava had served with the Fort Worth Police Department for 14 years. He had previously served with the Austin Park Police Department for three years and the Plano Police Department for one year. He is survived by his wife, Teresa, and their two children, KayLeigh and Justin. On November 10, 2011, Officer Nava's 10-year-old son legally changed his name to Henry Nava III in his father's honor.
The tragic incident led to a significant investigation and legal proceedings. The suspect, Stephen Lance Herd, was arrested and charged with capital murder. The case garnered considerable attention due to the circumstances of the shooting and the subsequent hostage situation. Herd's conviction and subsequent death in prison marked the conclusion of the legal proceedings related to Officer Nava's death.
Officer Nava's dedication to his job and his commitment to serving the community were widely recognized. His death was a profound loss for the Fort Worth Police Department and the community he served. The incident also highlighted the dangers faced by law enforcement officers in the line of duty and the importance of their work in maintaining public safety.
