2008

June 29, 2008
Vehicular assault – Katy Freeway service road @ State Hwy 6    

DOB –  3/23/1961 , Age 47
Badge – 4525
Class #126
Final Resting Place – Klein Cemetery , Tomball TX        

Officer Gary A. Gryder was sworn in as an officer in May of 1985 as a member of HPD Academy Class #126. He was assigned to the Southeast Division's Parole Offender Unit at the time of the incident. Officer Fred Joe Pyland, sworn in in December 1980, suffered a broken leg and was transported to Memorial Hermann Hospital. Officer Pyland is assigned to the Neighborhood Protection Corps. . Officer Sallee is assigned to the Traffic Division.

Officers Gryder, Pyland and Sallee were working the Katy Freeway Project overtime program at the intersection of the Katy Freeway service road and State Highway 6, where they had barricades blocking all the eastbound traffic on the south service road. According to witnesses, Truong was driving a white Toyota Camry, traveling eastbound on the service road at a high rate of speed when it crashed through the barricades. As the officers were standing near a patrol car, Officer Sallee managed to jump out of the path of the vehicle but Officers Gryder and Pyland had no time to react and were struck by Truong's vehicle.

Officer Gary Gryder was struck and killed by a drunk driver, the vehicle continued until striking a brick wall, where the driver was taken into custody.

The driver, charged with manslaughter, was found not guilty by reason of insanity, and committed to the Rusk State Mental Hospital. On May 2, 2016, a Harris County judge denied his release from the hospital where he will have to remain for at least one more year.

Officer Gryder had served with the Houston Police Department for 23 years. He is survived by his wife, son, step-daughter, two grandchildren, parents, and two sisters.

Source – ODMP and Houston Police News Release