The Police and Wichita
A Pillar of Safety and Community
History of the Houston Police Department
Are you ever curious about Houston’s police force, let me share some interesting facts with you. The Houston Police Department (HPD) has been around since 1841. Back then, Houston was just starting to grow, and the city needed a few good folks to keep things in check. Fast forward to today, and the HPD is one of the largest police forces in the United States.
It all started with the first “City Marshal” in 1841. This was a time when Houston was more of a small town than the huge city we know today. Over the years, as the city grew, so did the police department. By the early 1900s, the HPD had its own specialized units and was using the latest technologies to keep our streets safe.
Modern Developments in Houston Police
These days, the HPD has more than 5,200 officers and 1,200 civilian employees. The main headquarters is at 1200 Travis Street in downtown Houston. Don’t worry, there are plenty of substations spread across the city, making sure every neighborhood gets the attention it deserves. The HPD is a big organization, with different divisions handling various aspects of law enforcement and community service.
The HPD has had its share of milestones. They introduced motorized patrols in the early 20th century, which was a big deal back then. They were also among the first to have a K-9 unit. In recent years they have added body-worn cameras and use advanced data analytics to stay ahead of the curve.
Community Policing and Public Engagement
Patrol Division
The Patrol Division is the basis of the HPD. These are the officers you see every day, responding to emergencies, conducting patrols, and engaging with the community. They work around the clock to keep our streets safe.
Criminal Investigations Division
When it comes to serious crimes like homicides and major thefts, the Criminal Investigations Division steps in. These detectives are thorough and work hard to bring offenders to justice. They also have specialized units for things like cybercrime and narcotics.
Special Operations Division
The Special Operations Division includes the SWAT team, K9 unit, and Bomb Squad. These teams handle high-risk situations, from hostage rescues to bomb threats. They are highly trained and ready for anything.
Community Services Division
Building strong relationships with the community is a priority for the HPD. The Community Services Division runs programs like the Police Activity League (PAL) and neighborhood watch initiatives. They also have school resource officers to keep our kids safe.
Crime Stoppers
Crime Stoppers of Houston partners with the HPD to offer rewards for tips leading to arrests. It’s a great way to encourage people to report crimes anonymously and keep our neighborhoods safe.
Citizens’ Police Academy
The Citizens’ Police Academy gives residents a behind-the-scenes look at police operations. Participants learn about different aspects of law enforcement and even go on ride-alongs with officers. It’s a fantastic way to build understanding and trust.
Police Facility in Houston
Headquarters
Houston Police Department Headquarters Address: 1200 Travis St, Houston, TX 77002 Phone: (713) 308-1600
Substations
There are several substations located throughout Houston to serve different areas:
1. Central Patrol Division Address: 61 Riesner St, Houston, TX 77002 Phone: (832) 394-0000
2. North Patrol Division Address: 9455 W Montgomery Rd, Houston, TX 77088 Phone: (832) 394-3800
3. South Central Patrol Division Address: 2202 St Emanuel St, Houston, TX 77003 Phone: (832) 394-0200
4. Eastside Patrol Division
Address: 7525 Sherman St, Houston, TX 77012 Phone: (832) 394-1600
Online Resources
For more information about the HPD, visit their official website at Houston Police Department (https://www.houstontx.gov/police/). The website offers a wealth of resources, including crime statistics, safety tips, and information on how to report a crime.
Fallen Heroes Never Forgotten for Houston Police EOW
1. C. Foley – 03.10.1860
2. Richard Snow – 03.17.1882
3. Henry Williams – 08.08.1886
4. James E. Fenn – 03.05.1891
5. William F. Weiss – 07.30.1901
6. Herman Youngst – 12.12.1901
7. John C. James – 12.12.1901
8. William E. Murphy – 04.01.1910
9. John M. Cain – 08.03.1911
10. Issac “Ike” Parsons – 05.24.1914
11. Rufus H. Daniels – 08.23.1917
12. E.G. Meinke – 08.23.1917
13. Horace Moody – 08.23.1917
14. Ross Patton – 08.23.1917
15. Ira D. Raney – 08.23.1917
16. Johnnie Davidson – 02.19.1921
17. Jeter Young – 06.19.1921
18. David Murdock – 06.21.1921
19. J. Clark Etheridge – 08.23.1924
20. Pete Corrales – 01.25.1925
21. E.C. Chavez – 09.17.1925
22. Perry Page Jones – 01.30.1927
23. R.Q. Wells – 07.30.1927
24. Carl Greene – 03.14.1928
25. Worth Davis – 06.17.1928
26. Oscar Hope – 06.22.1929
27. Ed Jones – 09.13.1929
28. C.F. Thomas – 12.17.1929
29. Edward D. Fitzgerald – 09.20.1930
30. W.B. Phares – 09.30.1930
31. J.D. Landry – 12.03.1930
32. Harry Mereness – 10.18.1933
33. R.H. Sullivan – 03.09.1935
34. James D. Gambill – 12.01.1936
35. Adolph P. Martial – 11.08.1937
36. Marion E. Palmer – 03.24.1938
37. George Edwards – 06.30.1939
38. H.B. Hammond – 08.18.1946
39. S.A. Kent – 01.12.1954
40. Fred Maddox, Jr. – 02.24.1954
41. Jack B. Beets – 04.30.1955
42. Charles R. Gougenheim – 04.30.1955
43. Frank L. Kellogg – 11.30.1955
44. Robert Schultca – 08.25.1956
45. Noel R. Miller – 06.06.1958
46. Claude E. Branon – 03.20.1959
47. John W. Suttle – 08.23.1959
48. Gonzalo O. Gonzales – 02.23.1960
49. James T. Walker – 03.08.1963
50. Charles R. McDaniel – 08.04.1963
51. James F. Willis – 07.01.1964
52. Herbert N. Planner – 02.18.1965
53. Floyd T. DeLoach, Jr – 06.30.1965
54. Louis L. Sanders – 01.21.1967
55. Louis R. Kuba – 05.17.1967
56. Ben E. Gerhart – 06.26.1968
57. Bobby L. James – 06.26.1968
58. Kenneth W. Moody – 11.26.1969
59. Leon Griggs – 01.31.1970
60. Robert W. Lee – 01.31.1971
61. Claude R. Beck – 12.10.1971
62. David E. Noel – 06.17.1972
63. Jerry Leon Spruill – 10.26.1972
64. Antonio Guzman, Jr. – 01.19.1973
65. David Huerta – 09.19.1973
66. Jerry L. Riley – 06.18.1974
67. Johnny Terrell Bamsch – 01.30.1975
68. F.E. Wright – 08.02.1975
69. R.H. Calhoun – 11.10.1975
70. George G. Rojas – 01.28.1976
71. James F. Kilty – 04.08.1976
72. Timothy I. Hearn – 06.08.1978
73. Charles Baker – 08.16.1979
74. Victor R. Wells, III – 10.02.1980
75. Jose A. Zamarron – 04.18.1981
76. Winston James Rawlins – 03.29.1982
77. William Edwin DeLeon – 03.29.1982
78. Daryl Wayne Shirley – 04.28.1982
79. James D. Harris – 07.16.1982
80. Kathleen Schaefer – 08.18.1982
81. Charles R. Coates – 02.23.1983
82. William Moss – 09.12.1983
83. Maria Michelle Groves – 04.10.1987
84. Andrew Wizner – 02.18.1988
85. Elston Morris Howard – 07.19.1988
86. Florentino M. Garcia, Jr. – 11.10.1989
87. James C. Boswell – 12.09.1989
88. James B. Irby – 06.27.1990
89. John Anthony Salvaggio – 11.25.1990
90. Bruno David Soboleski – 04.12.1991
91. Michael P. Roman – 01.06.1994
92. Guy Patrick Gaddis – 01.31.1994
93. David M. Healy – 11.12.1994
94. Dawn S. Erickson – 12.24.1995
95. Cuong Huy Trinh – 04.06.1997
96. Kent D. Kincaid – 05.22.1998
97. Troy A. Blando – 05.19.1999
98. Jerry K. Stowe – 09.20.2001
99. Dennis E. Holmes – 01.10.2001
100. Alberto Vasquez – 05.22.2001
101. Keith A. Dees – 03.07.2002
102. Charles R. Clark – 04.03.2003
103. Frank M. Cantu – 03.26.2004
104. Rueben B. Deleon – 10.26.2005
105. Rodney J. Johnson – 09.21.2006
106. Gary Allen Gryder – 06.29.2008
107. Timothy Scott Abernethy – 12.07.2008
108. Henry Canales – 06.23.2009
109. Eydelmen Mani – 05.19.2010
110. Kevin Scott Will – 05.29.2011
111. Richard Keith Martin – 05.18.2015
112. Steve Perez – 08.29.2017
113. Christopher C.L. Brewster – 12.07.2019
114. Jason M. Knox – 05.02.2020
115. Harold L. Preston – 10.20.2020
116. Sean Rios – 11.09.2020
117. Earnest Leal, Jr. – 11.20.2020
118. William “Bill” Jeffrey – 09.20.2021
119. John D. Wilbanks – 10.31.2021
This list honors the brave men and women who have sacrificed their lives in the line of duty while serving the Houston Police Department.