Deputy Sheriff Royce Melvin Anderson
Harris County Sheriff's Department
Texas
End of Watch: Monday, October 26, 1981

Biographical Info
Age: 29
Tour of Duty: 2 years
Badge Number: 479

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire (Accidental)
Date of Incident: Sunday, October 25, 1981
Weapon Used: Officer's handgun
Suspect Info: Not available

Deputy Royce Anderson succumbed to an accidental gunshot wound received the previous night while making a felony arrest at 2145 hours. He and his partner had responded to a truck stop on I-45 for a weapons violation. After interviewing a stabbing victim they obtained a description of the suspect and his truck. The deputies located the vehicle and stopped it near the FM 149 overpass and took both occupants into custody at gunpoint. As Deputy Anderson re-holstered his weapon it discharged, striking him in the upper leg and severing all of his major arteries.

He was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to the wound at 5:05 am the following morning.

Deputy Anderson had served with the agency for 2 years. He was survived by his wife and two children.