• Home
  • About
    • Authors
  • Articles
    • Archives
    • Chaplain
    • Crime & Controversy
    • Community
    • Cop Humor
    • Editorial
    • Op-ed
    • Gear & Technology
    • Investigations
    • Laws & Legal
    • Leadership
    • News
    • Officer Down
    • On Duty
    • Tactics
  • Network
    • Illinois Network
    • Minneapolis Network
    • Tulsa Network
    • Wauwatosa Network
    • Learn more
  • Training
  • Jobs
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
Law Officer
Law Officer
No Result
View All Result

What happened to this Black life?

Sgt. Harold Preston was a true American hero

Harold Preston

(Houston Police Department)

October 20, 2020
Law OfficerbyLaw Officer
Share and speak up for justice, law & order...

HOUSTON — A suspect is in custody after one Houston police officer was fatally shot and another wounded at a southwest Houston apartment complex Tuesday, Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo said.

The shooting prompted a large law enforcement presence near the 2600 block of Holly Hall Street with multiple police and fire units responding to the scene. A SWAT team was called for “a possible barricaded suspect,” Houston police said.

The slain officer was identified as Sgt. Harold Preston, a 41-year veteran of the department — a true American hero.

“We’ve lost just a wonderful human being,” Acevedo said during a news conference at Memorial Hermann Hospital.

The other officer, identified by Mayor Sylvester Turner as Courtney Waller, is a three-year veteran of the department and was shot in the arm. He is expected to recover, according to reports.

The chief said Officer Waller is a twin, WFAA reported.

Those of us who knew, loved, & respected Sgt. Harold Preston knew him to be a wonderful, courageous, and humble servant, from an amazing family.

While many may never say his name, or honor his life of selfless service, we will never forget. RIP kind hero, we will celebrate you. pic.twitter.com/3U370XNsFc

— Chief Art Acevedo (@ArtAcevedo) October 20, 2020

A bystander came to Waller’s aid and escorted him to safety in front of the apartment complex, Acevedo said. The man then went back and grabbed Waller’s gun, which fell on the ground a short distance away, wrapped it in a towel and handed it to other responding officers, the chief said, according to Fox News.

Officer Courtney Waller was shot in the arm during a domestic disturbance call Tuesday morning. (Houston Police Department)

Police said the suspect, identified as Elmer Manzano, was shot in the abdomen area and was stable. He is expected to be charged with murder, Acevedo said.

In a tweet, the chief said two officers were hit by gunfire and asked the public to “please continue to pray for our officers, their families and their extended @[email protected] love you.”

Suspect has been taken into custody without further incident.

Please continue to pray for our officers, their families and their extended @[email protected] love you.

We will brief the community at 12:30 p.m. @memorialhermann https://t.co/zb01Ec608G

— Chief Art Acevedo (@ArtAcevedo) October 20, 2020

The Houston Police Officer’s Union tweeted Preston was weeks away from retirement. He was sworn into the department on Aug. 25, 1979, the union said.

Acevedo said the officers were responding to a domestic violence call around 8:15 a.m. Manzano’s estranged wife told Preston, Waller and another officer that she was moving out of the apartment and needed to get some items inside.

Sergeant Harold Lloyd Preston
Houston Police Department

Sworn Date: August 25th, 1979
End of Watch: October 20th, 2020

HPD Academy Class: 86
Years of Service: 41

Rest in Peace, brother. You will always be remembered and your sacrifice will never be forgotten. pic.twitter.com/kYNMmBioIN

— Houston Police Officers' Union (@HPOUTX) October 20, 2020

Manzano’s 14-year-old son was with his mother and the officers in a parking lot for an hour before the teen opened the door to the unit just before 9:30 a.m. He saw his father with a firearm and warned the officers before Manzano, 51, fired multiple rounds in their direction, Acevedo said.

However, Preston was hit multiple times, including more than once in the head. He was moved by other officers. Manzano surrendered after barricading himself inside the apartment.

Sgt. Harold Preston (Houston Police Department)

HPD had responded to the location twice over the previous weekend related to domestic violence, according to the chief.

Acevedo told reporters that Manzano is a Salvadorean with long criminal history but did not provide specific offenses.

The department was expected to escort Preston’s body to the medical examiner’s office, Fox reported.

Motorcycle Escort for Fallen HPD Sgt Harold Preston to Medical Examiner’s Office https://t.co/Elu3rz9UPb

— Houston Police (@houstonpolice) October 20, 2020

The shooting comes days after an arson investigator and arson suspect were killed during a shootout in Houston last week.


Share and speak up for justice, law & order...
Tags: art acevedoCourtney WallerHarold PrestonHouston Police DepartmentSylvester Turner
Law Officer

Law Officer

Law Officer is the only major law enforcement publication and website owned and operated by law enforcement—for law enforcement and supporters of justice, law, and order. This unique facet makes Law Officer much more than just a publishing company, but a true advocate for the law enforcement profession.

Related Posts

Julio Arnoldo Osorio Saca

Robbery suspect charged with murder after fatally shooting crime partner

June 9, 2022
Houston woman

Houston woman fatally shoots suspected stalker as he kicks in front door

June 6, 2022
Carl Buntion

Texas inmate executed for murder of Houston police officer

April 22, 2022
Ukrainian police officer

Ukrainian police officer wears ‘Don’t Mess with Texas’ patch while defending country against Russian invasion

March 1, 2022
Deputy Constable Neil Adams

Texas mall shooting leaves deputy constable, suspect dead

February 24, 2022
manhunt

Man accused of wounding 3 Houston police officers shot during manhunt

January 27, 2022
Load More

Latest Articles

Adrian Oswaldo Sura Reyes

Driver kills 1, injures 17 at fundraiser, then beats woman to death, police say

August 14, 2022
kangaroo

Kangaroo eludes Ohio police

August 14, 2022
Terry Payne

Georgia State University police officer charged with rape and kidnapping

August 14, 2022
Florida man

Car engulfs in flames after crashing into barricade near U.S. Capitol, driver fires gunshots into air before fatally shooting himself

August 14, 2022
Alec Baldwin

FBI report confirms Alec Baldwin fired gun in ‘Rust’ set shooting

August 14, 2022
TV sets

Crime riddled city reassigns officers to protect TV production sets

August 13, 2022
Load More

Weekly E-Newsletter

Subscribe—and get the latest news and editorials direct from Law Officer each week!

[newsletter_form type="minimal"]

MUST READ

Alec Baldwin

FBI report confirms Alec Baldwin fired gun in ‘Rust’ set shooting

August 14, 2022
Gerardo Magallanes

Police arrest third suspect in murder of off-duty California officer

August 13, 2022
LASD deputy

George Gascon’s lackey loses case against deputies during preliminary hearing

August 12, 2022
NASCAR

NASCAR goes woke, stops race team from honoring police

August 12, 2022
Ned Byrd

North Carolina deputy shot and killed

August 12, 2022
Load More

JOIN THE FIGHT

SAFEGUARD RECRUITING

Police Officers Needed – Entry level and lateral applicants wanted!

February 14, 2022

Deputy Sheriff

February 3, 2022

Dispatcher

January 25, 2022

Deputy Sheriff (POST Certified)

January 25, 2022

BE COURAGEOUS

FIND MORE…

Law Officer

© 2021 LawOfficer.com

LawOfficer.com

  • Home
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Corrections
  • Contact

Speak up for justice, law & order

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • About
    • Authors
  • Articles
    • Archives
    • Chaplain
    • Crime & Controversy
    • Community
    • Cop Humor
    • Editorial
    • Op-ed
    • Gear & Technology
    • Investigations
    • Laws & Legal
    • Leadership
    • News
    • Officer Down
    • On Duty
    • Tactics
  • Network
    • Illinois Network
    • Minneapolis Network
    • Tulsa Network
    • Wauwatosa Network
    • Learn more
  • Training
  • Jobs
  • Contact

© 2021 LawOfficer.com