On July 13, 1982, Officer James D. Harris, aged 29, was shot and killed while investigating a suspicious vehicle near the intersection of Edgewood Street and Walker Street in Houston, Texas. Officer Harris had stopped the vehicle after receiving complaints from a citizen that the car had tried to run him down. He ordered the two men in the vehicle to place their hands on the hood.
One of the men handed a 9 mm handgun to the other, who then opened fire on Officer Harris, striking him three times. The suspect also shot and killed a bystander as both men fled the scene.
The suspects were pursued by the police, and one of them was shot and killed shortly after seriously wounding another officer. The shooter, an illegal alien, was arrested and convicted of capital murder. However, his conviction was later overturned, and he was released but died in an automobile accident shortly after returning to Mexico.
Officer Harris was a United States Air Force military police veteran and had served with the Houston Police Department for five years. He was survived by his wife, two daughters, parents, grandparents, and sister. Officer Harris was laid to rest at Forest Park Cemetery in Houston.
The tragic incident highlighted the dangers faced by law enforcement officers and the impact of such losses on their families and communities. Officer Harris's dedication to his profession and his ultimate sacrifice were remembered and honored by those who knew him.
