Harris County Sheriff's Office, Texas
End of Watch Thursday, July 11, 2024
Add to My HeroesFernando Esqueda
Deputy Sheriff Fernando Esqueda was shot and killed from ambush after locating a vehicle wanted in connection to an aggravated assault.
The subject had become engaged in an argument with a restaurant employee over an incorrect order and pistol-whipped the worker. Witnesses provided responding deputies with the suspect's license plate number, which detectives used to locate an area of interest using a license plate reader system. Detectives conducted an initial search of the area but didn't locate the vehicle and cleared the area.
A short time later Deputy Esqueda returned to the area and located the vehicle unoccupied in the 13200 block of Italian Cypress Trail. As he coordinated with other deputies, the subject ambushed him and shot him multiple times. The responding deputies transported Deputy Esqueda to a local hospital where he succumbed to his wounds.
The subject was arrested the following day and charged with capital murder. Another subject was charged with capital murder and tampering with evidence.
Deputy Esqueda had served with the Harris County Sheriff's Office for five years. He was assigned to the Violent Person Task Force and was working mandatory patrols in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl. He is survived by his mother, father, three sisters, three brothers, and a fiancée.
Bio
- Age 28
- Tour 5 years
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Incident Date Wednesday, July 10, 2024
- Weapon Gun; Unknown type
- Offender Charged with capital murder
Contact
You must have an ODMP account to view agency contact information.
Click here to log in or create a free account.
Most Recent Reflection
View all 123 ReflectionsGod bless the blue in arms!
"Low rank Erik"
Life changers!
August 26, 2024
Recent LODD Deaths
Police Officer Zane Coolidge
Phoenix Police Department, AZ
EOW: September 6, 2024
Patrolman James Crowley
Chicago Police Department, IL
EOW: August 22, 2024
Officer Phylicia Carson
Osage Beach Police Department, MO
EOW: August 31, 2024
Police Officer Darron Lee Burks
Dallas Police Department, TX
EOW: August 29, 2024
Investigator Wayne David
Metropolitan Police Department, DC
EOW: August 28, 2024
Police Officer Austin Machitar
San Diego Police Department, CA
EOW: August 26, 2024
Investigator Taylor Jaimeson Bristow
Carroll County Sheriff's Office, GA
EOW: August 23, 2024
Deputy Sheriff Brandon Cunningham
Paulding County Sheriff's Office, GA
EOW: August 17, 2024
Correctional Officer Hunter Scott Miller
Kentucky Department of Corrections, KY
EOW: July 25, 2024