Homer Cortez’s death during a traffic stop raises unanswered questions as video evidence and witness accounts clash with police reports.
IRVING, Texas — The final moments of Homer Cortez’s life were captured on video, but much of what happened remains out of public view.
Cell phone video recorded by a witness captures Cortez screaming in pain. According to the family’s attorney, one video shows him yelling in distress just after 8 p.m. Within a minute, he is no longer verbal.
Police body camera footage also exists, but Irving police have not released it, citing an ongoing investigation.
What happened in those critical moments is now the focus of both a criminal investigation and an internal affairs review by the department.
Cortez, 48, died Feb. 23 after being pulled over for a traffic violation.
A state custodial death report filed by Irving police says officers stopped Cortez at about 7:50 p.m. for failing to use a turn signal and making a wide right turn. The report states that an officer was aware Cortez was connected to an active narcotics investigation and that a confidential informant had provided information about where drugs might be hidden in his vehicle.
According to the report, Cortez gave officers consent to search the car, and methamphetamine was found. Officers then attempted to arrest him. The report says Cortez resisted and was taken to the ground during a struggle, where “it appeared he struck his head on the parking lot pavement.”
But Cortez’s parents say that account does not match what they have been told — or what they believe happened.
“Well, from our understanding, he was pulled over and then,” said his father, Homer Cortez Sr, “The two detectives that came over and spoke to Nora claimed that there was a scuffle. And that our son had expired.”
His mother, Anora Cortez, said when police informed the family, she asked a question she still hasn’t gotten answered.
“Well, did you kill him?” Anora Cortez said. “And he didn’t say anything, he just said, well, it’s under investigation.”
The family says they were not notified of Cortez’s death until two days later.
“I said, but this happened two days later. Why am I just finding out right now?” Anora Cortez said. “I didn’t understand that.”
Use of restraints and medical response is under scrutiny
Details in the custodial death report — and a fire department narrative — are now drawing increased attention.
The state report confirms Cortez was under multiple forms of restraint, including handcuffs, leg shackles and a hobble leg restraint — while in police custody.
That combination can place a person in a position commonly referred to as being “hogtied,” a restraint method that has long been scrutinized because it can restrict breathing, particularly when a person is face down.
The report also states Cortez was in police custody prior to booking when the incident occurred, and that the cause and manner of death remain pending autopsy results.
According to a fire department narrative reviewed by the family’s attorney, paramedics arrived to find Cortez unresponsive, without a pulse, and exhibiting agonal breathing — a sign of severe medical distress. The narrative also notes Cortez was bleeding and that taser probes were found near him.
The attorney said the report indicates Cortez was still in a prone position and handcuffed behind his back when paramedics arrived, and that first responders had to ask officers to remove the handcuffs so CPR could begin.
The family’s attorney says Cortez was tased multiple times during the encounter and that several officers were involved.
Police say Cortez resisted arrest.
But the family says witnesses described something different.
“She basically said he was asked to get out of the car, and he did. He complied,” Homer Cortez Sr. said. “And then as soon as he got out of the car, they … threw him to the ground, started kicking him, hitting him, tasing him.”
Anora Cortez said a witness told them she heard a loud cracking sound as Cortez hit the pavement.
“She tried telling them to stop and stop,” Anora Cortez said. “She said it 3 or 4 times, but wouldn’t.”
The family says multiple witnesses described officers continuing to use force even after Cortez was on the ground.
Questions about injuries and cause of death
Cortez’s parents ordered an independent autopsy and say the injuries described to them raise serious concerns.
“Basically, he suffered a lot of trauma, it looks like,” Homer Cortez Sr. said. “Consistent with the injuries that the ME has stated that he was basically was beat to death.”
They say those injuries include head trauma, broken ribs and damage to the throat.
“Just doesn’t fit, you know, none of the pieces of the puzzle fit here,” the family said.
The official cause of death has not yet been released.
Timeline and unanswered questions
According to the custodial death report, Cortez was transported to a medical facility and passed away.
Video obtained by WFAA shows the initial traffic stop, the arrival of additional officers, and the arrival of an ambulance minutes later. The ambulance leaves the scene shortly after.
But the most critical moments — the physical struggle between Cortez and officers — have not been publicly seen.
Irving police have declined to release body camera footage, 911 calls and other records requested by news organizations, citing the ongoing investigation.
In a statement, the Irving Police Department said it is cooperating with the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office and its Public Integrity Unit. The department also confirmed it has launched both a criminal investigation and an internal administrative review into the actions of its officers.
That means investigators are examining not only whether department policies were followed, but whether any laws may have been broken.
No charges have been filed.
Family calls for accountability
For Cortez’s parents, the unanswered questions go beyond the details of the encounter. They say even if police suspected their son of a crime, it should not have ended in his death.
“Even if the drug narrative that they spun was true,” Homer Cortez Sr. said, “That still doesn’t warrant someone losing their life. You arrest them, take them in, they face the music.”
He added: “Those guys swore an oath to serve and protect, and to me that’s not justifiable to pull someone over for not turning your signal … and then ultimately end up with this result. There … needs to be some accountability.”
Anora Cortez said she wants those involved removed from the force.
“I want them out of there,” she said. “And I want them to come out and say they were wrong.”
Beyond the investigation, Cortez’s family says they are grieving the loss of a man they describe as dependable and generous.
“He was a nice guy. He was always helping everybody,” Anora Cortez said. “Everybody needed help. He’s one of the guys that you could call at 3 o’clock in the morning … and he would come pick you up.”
Cortez leaves behind children and a growing family.
“They knew they had a dad that they could count on,” Anora Cortez said.
As investigators work to determine exactly what happened, Cortez’s family says they are determined to make sure his death is fully examined.
The case remains under investigation, and several officers are on administrative leave.