Holly MatkinHouston, TX – Houston Police Department (HPD) Officer William “Bill” Jeffrey died in the line of duty on Monday after being shot while executing an arrest warrant.
The incident occurred inside the Timber Ridge gated community area in the 5300-block of Aeropark Drive shortly before 7:30 a.m. on Sept. 20, KHOU reported.
The HPD said Officer Jeffrey and Sergeant Michael Vance were trying to serve a narcotics arrest warrant at the apartment complex when a gunman opened fire on them, according to KTRK.
Sgt. Vance was hit in the leg during the attack.
Officer Jeffrey was shot in the chest, HPD Chief Troy Finner later confirmed.
The gunman was also shot and died at the scene, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez confirmed in a tweet.
He was later identified as 31-year-old Deon Ledet, KPRC reported.
Court documents indicted Deon was charged with a drug offense in 2020 and ordered to report to pretrial services for electronic monitoring after his release from jail in November of last year, but that he never showed.
Chief Finner said a woman and a small child were also inside the apartment at the time of the shootout.
Both officers are members of the Houston Police Department’s Major Offenders fugitive warrant team, according to KHOU.
One of the wounded officers was rushed to the hospital via ambulance with a large police escort.
The second officer was airlifted from the scene.
Sgt. Vance underwent surgery at Memorial Hermann Hospital and is listed in stable condition, KTRK reported.
He has been with the department since 1997, according to KHOU.
Officer Jeffrey, a nearly 31-year veteran of the HPD, succumbed to his wounds, Chief Finner said.
His wife is a fellow HPD officer who retired just a few months ago, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner told reporters late Monday morning, according to KTRK.
“He’s a great man, a great family man,” Chief Finner said, according to KHOU. “Most of us know him [Jeffrey] personally, I’ve known him my entire career.”
The chief said he agrees with the slain officer’s widow, who described her husband as a “great officer.”
Officer Jeffrey also leaves behind one child, Chief Finner added.
“This has been a tragic day today,” Turner said, according to KTVT. “It is another reminder that police work is inherently dangerous.”
HPD escorts fallen Senior Police Officer William Jeffrey to the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences https://t.co/5TpxeIFwUu
— Houston Police (@houstonpolice) September 20, 2021
🙏🏽 TRAGIC UPDATE: HPD Officer William Bill Jeffrey — a 31 year veteran — was shot & killed this morning while executing an arrest warrant in NE #Houston.
Sgt. Michael Vance — a 20 year veteran — was also shot & is in stable condition.
Chief @TroyFinner is asking for prayers. pic.twitter.com/OoYLUzyAou
— Charly Edsitty (@CharlyABC13) September 20, 2021
We send our prayers to the family and friends of HPD Officer William Jeffrey. Officer Jeffrey was shot and killed as he attempted to serve a warrant this morning. A second officer was also shot and is in stable condition. #LESM pic.twitter.com/SyvPfyeT6M
— Sheriffs' Assoc of Texas (@TXSheriffs) September 20, 2021
We were saddened to learn that HPD Officer William Jeffrey was killed in the line of duty this morning. We offer our prayers to his friends, family and members of HPD as they cope with this tragic loss and pray for the full recovery of Sgt. Vance who was wounded in this incident. pic.twitter.com/Wd47w30Us8
— Phil Sandlin, Harris County Constable Pct 8 (@Pct8Constable) September 20, 2021
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Houston Police Department Officer William “Bill” Jeffrey, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Officer William Jeffrey, your life mattered.
Sandy Malone
