1982

July 13, 1982
Gunfire  @4800 Walker

DOB – 10/17/1952, Age 29
Badge – 2973
Class #74
Final Resting Place –    Forest Park Lawndale, Houston TX 

On Tuesday, July 16, 1982, Officer James D. Harris, a K-9 officer assigned to the Southeast Substation, was in the process of conducting an investigation regarding a traffic offense. According to witnesses, he had placed one suspect up against the side of the vehicle, who was the passenger, when the driver, who had just at that moment gotten out of the car, opened fire with a 9mm semi-automatic pistol. The rounds hit Officer Harris in the head and he slumped to the ground. The suspect began to run down Walker Street with the gun still in his hand. A citizen, Jose Francisco Armijo, 33, was traveling in the suspect's direction. Mr. Armijo's ten-year-old son, Jose Armijo Jr., a passenger in the car with his father, witnessed the suspect turn and fire again, this time fatally injuring his father.

As news of Officer Harris' shooting was broadcasted, the area around the shooting scene began to fill with officers looking for the suspects or clues that would lead them to them. Officer Lawrence J. Trepagnier was one of the officers who responded to the scene. As he went around a house and by a garage, one of the suspects opened fire, hitting Officer Trepagnier five times. The officer not realizing he was hit returned fire and began to run after the suspect. He then felt the pain and fell to the ground. He later recovered and returned to duty. The suspect ran around the house and confronted five more officers and a gun battle ensued. The suspect fell dead of gunshot wounds.

Assistant District Attorney Terry Wilson had arrived on the scene and had noticed a man crouching not far from where he was investigating the crime scene. Mr. Wilson pulled his weapon and told the suspect to lie on the ground. The suspect was arrested and near where he was lying was a .45 caliber automatic pistol.

Officer James D. Harris was laid to rest at Forest Park Cemetery. He left behind his wife, Pamela; and two daughters, Rebecca Brooke and Megan Annette Harris. Officer Harris and his family enjoyed their wonderful relationship with God and his church, his faith, and that of his wife pulled his family through a tragedy that words cannot even begin to describe. Mrs. Harris wrote in a letter to the citizens of Houston, that was published in a local newspaper on September 1, 1982, the following: "On July 16, 1982, my husband, Officer
James D. Harris, was killed in the line of duty. He was totally dedicated to his profession, and I'm thankful that our loving God took him instantly while he was trying to protect the citizens of Houston rather than to let him suffer from a lengthy illness or even the bullets that pierced his precious head. During the last seven months, I have learned much about the citizens of Houston. The vast majority of them are truly kind, compassionate and caring people. I honestly believe that 95 percent of Houston supports the police department. Of course, it is the 5 percent that we hear about who sound so bad and help bring the morale of those dedicated men down. I sincerely appreciate all of the cards of sympathy, many prayers and individual monetary gifts and the contributions to the 100 Club in remembrance of a fine husband, father, and police officer. Thank you for caring, Houston."

Officer J.D. Harris is survived by his wife, Pamela Ann Myers Harris; parents, Nelson D. and Ruth Harris; grandparents, Nelson and Gerry Harris and Robert and Carla Pierson; daughters, Rebecca Brooke Harris and Megan Annett Harris; sister and brother-in-law, Beverly and David Ruetsch; and nephews, Jeff and Todd Ruetsch.

Source – Houston Police Department Museum Files