Police said an altercation ended with the deadly shooting of the deputy. The suspect was later shot by two police officers and died at a hospital, Chief Troy Finner said.
The fallen deputy has been identified as Neil Adams.
“He’s a hero. He’s a hero and we want to honor him,” said Chief Troy Finner Wednesday night.
The shooting happened Wednesday at 3:57 p.m. at the PlazAmericas mall in the 7500 block of Bellaire Boulevard, according to Houston police.
During a press conference Wednesday night, Finner said Deputy Adams was working an extra job at the mall when there was some sort of altercation with the suspect. At some point, the suspect was able to gain control of the deputy’s gun and shoot him. From there, the suspect left the scene and went to the food court.
Finner said HPD officers responded to an officer assist call at the scene. Officers came in contact with the suspect who had a sharp-edged weapon and went toward them. As a result, two officers fired at the suspect.
The suspect, 35, was taken to a hospital where he died. His name has not been released.
Precinct 1 Constable Roy Rogers said Adams has been in law enforcement since 2012. He has worked for the San Jacinto County Sheriff’s Office and is currently also the county’s environmental officer.
Adams’ wife, who is the San Jacinto County Treasurer, and father rushed to the hospital.
“My husband always said you can either be a sheep or a sheepdog and I want everybody to pray for all the sheepdogs out there that are protecting everybody,” said the deputy’s wife, Dee Dee Adams. “They get a bad rap and they just want to protect. That’s what they want to do in their heart. Everybody’s turned their back on them and everybody should pray for all of them because they’re here for you.”
