HOUSTON, TX – The wife of an accused cop killer has spoken out through her attorney, thanking the officers for saving her life and the life of her teenaged son from her husband.
Her husband, Elmer Manzano, was arrested for shooting and killing Houston Police Sergeant Harold Preston, a 41-year veteran of the department.
A police sergeant was murdered. A second was almost killed as well. The man who allegedly pulled the trigger? An illegal immigrant.https://t.co/B5QOBHSm7H
— LawEnforcementToday (@LawEnforceToday) October 23, 2020
Manzano’s wife, Santos Mejia, credits Sgt. Preston and another Houston Officer, Courtney Waller, with saving her life. She felt so strongly about it that she allowed her attorney, Carvana Cloud, to make a public statement of gratitude on her behalf to news source KPRC2:
“[Mejia] felt so indebted to Sgt. Preston and the other officer that was there to help her. She wanted his family to know very much that she appreciated his service.
“She made it very clear that if it wasn’t for Sgt. Preston, she wouldn’t be here today and she wanted to encourage all victims of domestic violence to reach out for help.”
Officer had 41 years of service and planned on retiring this year. https://t.co/VbfNxMDQib
— Rob O’Donnell (@odonnell_r) October 20, 2020
The original incident occurred on October 20th when police were called around 8 a.m. for a domestic violence disturbance that was occurring in an apartment complex on Holly Hall in Houston.
Preston, along with Waller and another officer responded to the scene and met with Mejia, the estranged wife of suspect Manzano.
Officers were speaking with Mejia for over an hour when her teenaged son unlocked the door, approached officers and warned them that Manzano had armed himself with a gun. Shortly after the warning, police stated that Manzano exited the residence and began firing at them.
In just a week’s time, a Houston Firefighter and Houston Police Sergeant have been killed in the line of duty at the hands of a criminal. Just heartbreaking 💔! pic.twitter.com/5BpPCRVZlV
— B_Brock 👻🎃💀 (@becks_life4now) October 20, 2020
Police stated that Manzano’s gun shots struck Sgt. Preston several times in his head and struck his own son in his arm. In addition, Officer Waller was struck in his arm. It was just before 9:30 a.m. when officers put out a “help call” and requested the SWAT team to respond.
Preston, Waller and Manzano’s son were able to be evacuated from the scene at roughly the same time. The officers were transported to Memorial Hermann Hospital, while the teenager was transported to Texas Children’s Hospital for medical treatment.
SWAT officers responded to the scene and surrounded the residence where Manzano was believed to be hiding. A resident in the area, Travis Bryant, said he saw one of the officers, presumably Waller, injured from a gunshot wound to the arm.
He said:
“He [Waller was] walking back towards the gate and I opened the gate for him and he comes here to the side, and by that time the other officers are showing up to assist him.”
Another resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said:
“It’s a tragedy and I truly feel for the officer’s family.”
Sorrowfully, despite the doctor’s best efforts, Preston died at the hospital. The police said that his daughter, fiancée and ex-wife were with him when he passed.
When news of Sgt. Preston’s death was published, Texas Governor Greg Abbot said:
“Our hearts are with the family of Houston Police St. Harold Preston, who was shot and killed in the line of duty this morning. This tragic loss is a grave reminder of the dangers our brave law enforcement officers face while keeping our communities safe.
“Cecilia and I ask our fellow Texans to join us in lifting up Sgt. Preston’s family in prayer in their time of need. We also ask all Texans to pray for the speedy recovery of Houston Police Officer Courtney Waller who was shot while responding to the same incident and is recovering in the hospital.
“The state stands ready to assist the Houston Police Department in bringing to justice the perpetrators of this horrific tragedy.”
Officer down: Lincoln Police officer dies almost two weeks after being shot on duty
September 11, 2020
LINCOLN, NE – We just lost another officer… after he put up a valiant fight to pull through.
Lincoln Police Officer Luis Mario Herrera was shot while trying to arrest a man who was wanted in a murder investigation. Herrera fought for almost two weeks but sadly succumbed to his injures on September 7th.
Investigator Mario Herrera has succumbed to his injuries. Despite skilled & determined medical care, as well as the thoughts, prayers, & support of his family, friends & community, his valiant fight ended as he passed away in the early morning hours of September 7th, 2020. #LNK pic.twitter.com/Gd3xRicoLX
— Lincoln Police (@Lincoln_Police) September 7, 2020
Family of Herrera said:
“It is with a very heavy heart that I have to pass on devastating news to all of you. At approximately 3:30 this morning, Mario died. Carrie and his 4 amazing children were able to be with him. I am at a loss for words as we try to process this. Please pray for Carrie, his kids and our entire family.”
The Lincoln Police Department released a statement regarding Herrera’s death. It said:
“The Lincoln Police Department is devastated by the loss of one of our most outstanding police officers. Mario was an exceptional investigator, a selfless teammate, and a tireless public servant.
“Empathetic, kind, and utterly committed to serving victims and protecting his community, Mario was an exemplary human being who just happened to be a Lincoln police officer. Investigator Herrera paid the ultimate sacrifice to keep us all safe. Lincoln police officers will be draping their badges to honor his sacrifice and memory.”
Colonel John Bolduc, the Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol, said:
“Nebraska’s law enforcement family has suffered a tragic loss today. We send our deepest condolences to Investigator Herrera’s family and friends, along with the entire Lincoln Police Department and all who had the privilege of knowing him. Our troopers were honored to work beside Mario and will forever remember his service and sacrifice.”
The mayor of Lincoln, Leirion Gaylor Baird, also issued a statement:
“Sadness does not begin to describe fully our community’s sense of loss with the passing of Investigator Mario Herrera. Our hearts are with his wife, Carrie, and their four children, and we remain forever grateful for their family’s profound sacrifice in service to keeping our community safe.”
Herrera had been a member of the Lincoln Police Department for 23 years when he was shot on duty on August 26th. He was a member of the Metro Area Fugitive Task Force and Gang Unit.
On August 26th, Herrera and other officers were seeking Felipe Vazquez in connection with the stabbing death of a man earlier in the year. When Herrera was attempting to take him into custody he was shot in the abdomen allegedly by Vazquez.
Vazquez and Orion Ross both fled the scene on foot after the shooting. Officers were able to locate them a short time after the shooting had occurred. Police had initially charged Ross and Vazquez with escape and a judge assigned a million-dollar bond.
Now that Herrera has died as a result of the shooting, the additional charge of second-degree assault of a peace officer for Vazquez will be upgraded to homicide.
Initial reports were that Herrera was expected to survive, sadly, those reports proved to be inaccurate. When Herrera’s body was transported from the hospital, escorted by the Omaha Police Department, to the funeral home, groups of supporters could be seen in the area.
An incredibly touching photo from Susan Johnson 💔
This is her son Alex. She says he wanted to honor Investigator Mario Herrera as he passed. His father Darren worked with Investigator Herrera 15 years ago. pic.twitter.com/UGn089rcDZ
— Bill Schammert (@BillSchammert) September 7, 2020
Scores of people could be seen standing along the roadways and overpasses through Omaha and Lincoln. Baird said:
Nebraska, you are amazing.
There are 30 overpasses on I-80 between 42nd in Omaha and I-180 in Lincoln on which people could show their support yesterday for @Lincoln_Police Inv. Mario Herrera.
Here are all 30. Supporters on every one.#SupportBlue #Nebraska #BlueFamily pic.twitter.com/ObrIBpJQnc
— Nebraska State Patrol (@NEStatePatrol) September 8, 2020
“Lincoln is a city of compassion and kindness, and in the coming days, weeks and months, we will do our best to heal from this grief together.”
Brian Jackson, the Assistant Police Chief for the Lincoln Police Department spoke of the loss of Herrera:
“Devastated does not begin to describe the gaping hold left in our hearts, our police department and our community.”
Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts ordered all flags to be flown at half-staff in honor of Herrera, who gave the ultimate sacrifice in serving his community.
Let’s help him out
Over $100,000 raised so far for Investigator Mario Herrera
He is currently in critical condition at the University of NE Medical Centerhttps://t.co/sIy79YlSdc
— Jack Posobiec 🇺🇸 (@JackPosobiec) September 7, 2020
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