On June 27, 1990, James Bruce Irby, a 37-year-old male police officer with the Houston Police Department, was fatally shot during a routine traffic stop. Officer Irby, who was of Caucasian ethnicity, was killed near the intersection of Airline Drive and Lyerly Street. As he was speaking with the driver of the vehicle, the passenger, Carl Wayne Buntion, exited the car and shot Officer Irby five times with a .357 handgun.
The incident was witnessed by several bystanders who quickly
intervened. They chased Buntion and held him until additional officers arrived. Buntion was arrested and later charged with capital murder. During the investigation, it was revealed that Buntion had a history of criminal offenses and had been released on parole just two months prior to the shooting. It was also discovered that Buntion's brother had been killed in a shootout with police in 1971, leading to speculation that Buntion's actions were motivated by revenge.
In October 1990, Buntion's trial was moved to Fredericksburg, and by January 1991, the jury found him guilty of capital murder in just 34 minutes. He was sentenced to death. Over the years, Buntion's case went through numerous appeals and legal proceedings, but he remained on death row. On April 21, 2022, Buntion was executed by lethal injection at the age of 78, becoming the oldest inmate ever executed by the state of Texas.
Officer Irby's death had a profound impact on his family and the community. He is survived by his wife, son, and daughter, who have publicly expressed their grief and the prolonged pain caused by the lengthy legal process. Despite the tragedy, Officer Irby's legacy lives on through the memories of those who knew him and the continued dedication of law enforcement officers who strive to honor his sacrifice.
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