AndrewBlakeHouston, TX – A Houston police officer is in a coma and in critical condition after an accident at a golf course on April 12.
Houston Police Department Officer Jerry Flores, 53, was at the Thin Blue Line Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club golf tournament when he fell off a golf cart and hit his head on the pavement, according to KPRC-TV.
Officer Flores was immediately knocked unconscious.
Flores was taken to the Cy-Fair Medical Center and underwent surgery, according to KPRC. The next few days will be critical to the recovery of Flores.
KTRK-TV reported that Flores’ family said his organs were stable and his brain swelling had gone down as of Saturday.
Another officer was driving the cart when Flores lost his balance and fell, according to KTRK.
Houston Police Officers’ Union President Joe Gamaldi said Flores respected within the community.
“This is a big tragedy right now and everybody’s just hoping and praying he’s gonna pull out of this,” Gamaldi said, according to KPRC. “He’s an all-around great guy. The type of guy who would give the shirt of his back to you. I think Officer Flores is probably the most popular police officer we have. He’s very well-known in the community and the outpouring of support has been absolutely incredible.”
Police said that Officer Flores was wearing his Houston Astros’ World Series championship ring during the golf outing, which is a benefit outing to help injured police and military personnel.
Flores was the police liaison to the Houston Astros and was a big Astros’ fan. Houston Astros players and Houston Astro manager A.J. Hinch ask the entire city of Houston to keep Flores in their thoughts and prayers.
The Thin Blue Line Club president Rico Garcia called Flores one of the most popular officers on the force.
“We call him the Mayor of Midtown,” Garcia said in a statement, according to KHOU-TV.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Officer Flores and his family.