Michael Wayne Rivers, a 32-year-old male police officer with the Hedwig Village Police Department in Texas, tragically lost his life on November 2, 1980. Officer Rivers was shot and killed during a foot pursuit of a burglary suspect. He and his partner were responding to assist another officer who was interviewing two suspects in front of a local store.
During the pursuit, one of the suspects ran, and Officer Rivers was shot multiple times—twice in the head, once in the arm, and once in the leg.
The suspect, a 21-year-old male, was apprehended at the scene. Two months later, he and another inmate escaped from Jefferson Davis Mental Hospital in Houston. The suspect was eventually recaptured and, on March 26, 1981, was convicted of capital murder and sentenced to life imprisonment. He was denied parole on August 20, 2018, and his next parole hearing was scheduled for July 2023.
Officer Rivers had served with the Hedwig Village Police Department for only one year, but he had previously served with the Houston Police Department for ten years. He was survived by his expectant wife and daughter. His dedication and sacrifice are remembered by those who knew him and the community he served.
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