A Houston police officer died in a crash while conducting a traffic escort in East Texas.
ANDERSON COUNTY, Texas — A Houston police officer was hit and killed Wednesday afternoon while performing a traffic escort in East Texas, according to the Houston Police Department.
The crash occurred around 4:20 p.m. in Anderson County when Senior Police Officer Alex Roberts, riding his motorcycle as part of the Traffic Enforcement Division’s Solo Motorcycle Detail, was hit by another vehicle.
“Senior Police Officer Roberts faithfully served the Houston Police Department with honor and dedication. His loss is felt deeply within our department and the community he proudly served,” said HPD Police Chief J. Noe Diaz, Jr.
Roberts had been with the department since November 2010 and was assigned to traffic enforcement at the time of the crash.
The Anderson County Sheriff’s Office and the Texas Department of Public Safety are investigating the incident. At this time, it is unclear what the traffic escort was for.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
Houston Mayor John Whitmire released the following statement:
“Tonight, our city mourns the heartbreaking loss of Houston Senior Police Officer Alex Roberts and Houston Firefighter-Paramedic Stephen Scott. I am saddened by both tragic incidents that claimed their lives in the line of duty and ask Houstonians to join me in prayers for their families, colleagues, and all who loved them. Their sacrifice reminds us of the sacrifice, courage, and commitment of those who protect and serve our city every day.”
Roberts’ death marks the second line of duty death in Houston in just one day. On Wednesday afternoon, the Houston Fire Department announced the death of Veteran Firefighter Stephen Scott.
On Sunday, Scott of Station 102 was in the process of transporting a patient to HCA Kingwood when he began experiencing a medical issue. He was admitted to the same hospital.
Doctors later determined Scott needed to be transferred by Life Flight to Memorial Hermann in the Texas Medical Center, where he underwent surgery and later died from “resulting complications.”
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