1994

January 6, 1994
Automobile Accident  – @ North Main / East 28th   

DOB - 9/24/1966, Age 27
Badge – 5068
Class #146
Final Resting Place –    Brookside Memorial, Houston TX     

The Houston Police Department lost one of its own on January 6, 1994 when Michael P. Roman was killed in the line of duty during the course of participating in a high-speed vehicular chase. Officer Michael Roman, a two-year veteran of the department, was on-duty working a voluntary overtime program on his night off (Wednesday January 5th). Earlier that day, the parents of one, found out that their expected child was a baby girl. Officer Roman was working the 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. shift and around 11:45 pm he heard the dispatcher put out a high-speed police chase involving Central and North patrol units.

The stolen vehicle was being driven by Jose Lopez, 19 and contained three passengers, Hector Martinez (17), Omar Martines (17), and a younger juvenile. While in pursuit of the stolen vehicle, Officer Roman's car collided with a Mitsubishi being driven by a young 24-year-old woman. The vehicle failed to yield the right of way to the emergency police vehicle through the stop sign controlling the intersection. The point of impact was the right front of Officer Roman's Chevrolet Caprice which then slid into a utility pole.  Area residents and paramedics struggled to free Officer Roman from the wreckage. While doing so, the paramedics were unable to obtain a pulse. They quickly transported Officer Roman to Ben Taub Hospital where he died early Thursday morning at approximately 12:45 a.m.
Mr. Lopez was charged with unauthorized use of a stolen vehicle, resisting and evading arrest and was held on $50,000 bond. Mr. Martinez and Mr. Martines were both charged with resisting and evading arrest. The young juvenile as referred to juvenile authorities.

Funeral services took place at the Second Baptist Church at Voss and Woodway. The memorial service was attended department-wide and concluded with a burial service at Brookside Memorial Park. Mrs. Suelema Roman, wife of Officer Roman, was presented her husband's cap by the Department's Honor Guard. Officer Roman, while being survived by nine relatives, who are all members of the department, was also survived by Suelema Roman, wife; Mikaela Roman, daughter; Miguel and Mary Roman, parents; Raymond and Steven Roman, brothers; and Pablo and Ignacia Roman, grandparents. Officer Roman will be greatly missed by his friends, family, and fellow officers.

Source – Houston Police Department Museum Files