A Texas deputy constable was shot dead by a suspect who wrestled his service weapon away at a Houston shopping mall where the officer was working an extra job.
Deputy Constable Neil Adams was killed just before 4 p.m. as he responded to a disturbance inside one of the stores at the PlazAmericas Mall, the Houston Police Department said.
“There was some kind of altercation with a suspect,” said Houston Police Chief Troy Finner. “The suspect was able to gain control of his gun … very sadly, shot it.”
Finner said that after the shooting, police responded and found the suspect in the food court.
“He had a sharp-edged weapon aimed at the officers,” Finner said. “Two officers fired upon him, striking him. The suspect later died at the hospital.”
Police have not released the identity of the deceased shooter, but said he was 35 years old.
Adams had served with the San Jacinto County Constable Precinct 1 since 2012. He was the environmental officer for all of Harris County, said his boss, Constable Roy Rogers.
“We lost one of our heroes,” said Rogers. “He was a good man. He worked hard (to) take care of his family … to take care of the constituents of our county. Y’all please pray for Deputy Constable Adams’ family.”
Speaking outside the hospital where her husband died, Adams’ widow asked for prayers.
“I just wanted to say that my husband always said that you can either be a sheep or a sheep dog, and I want everybody to pray for all the sheep dogs out there that are protecting everybody … that get a bad rap, and they just want to protect,” said DeeDee Adams. “That’s what they want to do in their heart, and everybody’s turned their back on them, and everybody should pray for all of them because they’re here for you.”