Officer James Donald Harris

James Donald Harris

Officer J.D. Harris was shot and killed near the intersection of Edgewood Street and Walker Street while investigating a suspicious vehicle.

Officer Harris had stopped a vehicle after receiving complaints from a citizen that the car had tried to run him down. Officer Harris ordered the two men to place their hands on the hood of the vehicle. One of the men gave the other man a 9 mm handgun, then he opened fire on Officer Harris, striking him three times. The suspect shot and killed a bystander as both men fled the scene.

The other suspect was shot and killed shortly after seriously wounding another officer. The shooter, an illegal alien, was arrested and convicted of capital murder. The conviction was overturned, and he was released but died in an automobile accident shortly after returning to Mexico.

Officer Harris was a United States Air Force military police veteran and had served with the Houston Police Department for five years. He was survived by his wife, two daughters, parents, grandparents, and sister.