‘Probably one of the toughest days of my career’: Constable Mark Herman reacts to north Houston shooting that killed Harris County Pct. 4 deputy

HOUSTON – Deputies with Harris County Precinct 4 Constable are stunned after three of their own were shot during an ambush at a bar in north Houston.

Deputy Kareem Atkins, 26, died at Memorial Herman Hospital at the Texas Medical Center early Saturday morning. Two other deputies, Deputy Juqaim Barthen, 26, and Deputy Darrell Garrett, 28, remain hospitalized as of Sunday.

“It’s a tough time for the department, probably one of the toughest days of my career,” Mark Herman, Precinct 4 Constable said during a news conference early Saturday morning. “I got a father in there that I had to talk to, a wife that I had to talk to, I got two deputies [in surgery], this is going to affect them for the rest of their lives.”

RELATED: Harris County Pct. 4 deputy killed, 2 other deputies injured after possible ambush at a bar in north Houston

“I believe that good always trumps evil, and what happened tonight was evil,” Herman said.

Early Sunday morning, Herman took to social media to request prayers for Deputy Atkins, Deputy Barthen and Deputy Garrett.

“The men and women of Constable Mark Herman’s Office are mourning the loss of Deputy Kareem Atkins, who was ambushed, shot and killed,” he wrote. “Please continue to pray for him, the other two injured deputies and our Precinct 4 family. Rest easy brother. We’ll take the watch from here.”

Law enforcement officials offer condolences

Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez offered condolences to Harris County Pct. 4 Saturday morning.

“Our hearts are heavy as we extend our condolences to Pct. 4 Constable,” he wrote on Twitter. “They tragically lost one deputy and two more are injured after being shot early this morning. Sending our thoughts and prayers to the deputy’s family, friends and coworkers during this exceptionally difficult time.”

Houston police provided a brief update and condolences to Harris County Pct. 4.

“Our hearts go out to the families of the deputies and the men and women of Harris County Pct. 4,” they tweeted.

Condolences are also pouring in from Pearland Police, who said on social media they are “saddened by the news of the loss.”

“Pearland PD is saddened by the news of the loss of a Harris County Deputy Constable who was killed in the line of duty early this morning,” they said. “Continued prayers and support to the brave men and women of the Harris County Constable Pct. 4 office during these difficult times.”

Harris County Fire Marshall’s Office says their prayers are with Harris County Pct. 4 on the loss of one of their deputies.

“Another tragedy happened in our community last night,” they said. “Our prayers are with Pct. 4 Constable on the loss of one of their own and the other two deputies who remain in the hospital. Fly high, we have it from here.”

Harris County Constable Alan Rosen with Pct. 1 spoke out on the tragedy via Twitter.

“The community and law enforcement lost another officer...so sad to hear the terrible news that our brothers and sisters of Pct. 4 Constable lost one of their own and have two others injured,” Rosen said. “Our prayers, our support and our thoughts are with Constable Herman and his entire department.”

Joe Gamaldi, vice president of the Fraternal Order of Police also offering condolences.

“My thoughts and prayers are with my friends, colleagues at Harris County Pct. 4 Constable’s office. They had 3 deputies shot, one of them making the ultimate sacrifice,” he said. “This is heartbreaking...”

The FBI office in Houston tweeted their condolences to the family and colleagues of Pct. 4, and wishing the other two deputies a full recovery.