HOUSTON – Harris County District Attorney Mike Anderson died on Saturday, according to the county judge.
"This is a tragedy, clearly for his family and friends. Really for the community. I just can't say how sad this is." Said Harris County Judge Ed Emmett.
Sworn in on New Year's Day, Anderson was serving his first term as the county's district attorney. Anderson revealed he had cancer back in May and that he was undergoing treatment.
"He had come in as the DA and given a shot of new good blood to the DA's Office," said Defense Attorney Rusty Hardin. "Things were really picking up and people were really excited. So it's a tremendous loss for the community."
Anderson was born and raised in Pasadena. He graduated from Pearland High School and Texas Lutheran College before earning his law degree.
Anderson would go on to serve as a prosecutor for 17 years, spending another dozen years as a felony Criminal Court Judge.
Harris County District Clerk Chris Daniels remembers Anderson as "One of those rare gems. You're not going to be able to replace him."
Anderson was also a family man, who leaves behind his wife and two children.
"I really think right now, rather than think about what's to come, we ought to just focus on what we lost. That's a super guy and a wonderful lawyer," said Hardin.
The Harris County Republican Party issued a statement Saturday afternoon, expressing its condolences. Chairman Jared Woodfill said Anderson's family can be proud of the noble life that he led, both in public and private.
As of late Saturday, the District Attorney's office had not released an official statement.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
