HOUSTON – The Harris County Sheriff’s Office is in mourning Thursday, one day after losing their colleague in blue Deputy Robert “Adam” Howard in a deadly crash.
Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said hearts are heavy.
“Here we are today, in the middle of National Police Week, and we’re grieving yet another loss for our agency,” the sheriff said. “It’s always tough when we lose one of our heroes. It’s a loss for the community. You just simply don’t replace Deputy Adam Howard.”
The 27-year-old deputy was killed Wednesday when his patrol vehicle clipped the back of an 18-wheeler on SH-249 northbound in the Spring/Cypress area.
Howard came to the sheriff’s office in 2019 from the Harris County Pct. 5 Constables Office. He was assigned to patrol until he was moved to the Violent Gang Suppression Unit three months ago.
“He was a crime fighter. He was passionate about his work like his dad told me yesterday. He loved going to work every day,” Gonzalez added. “Losing a crime fighter, it’s tough when we’re trying to combat crime. You want people like a Deputy Howard out there on the front lines.
Howard leaves behind a wife and two small children.
On Thursday, The 100 Club donated a $20,000 check to the fallen deputy’s family to help relieve some of their immediate financial burdens.
“Since we were notified yesterday, we’re getting a $20,000 check for his widow and we’ll get that presented here very quickly to her, and then what we do later on is we come back and do a full needs assessment for the family and see whatever their financial needs may be,” said William Skeen, Executive Director of The 100 Club.”
Skeen, who is also a former officer, said this is the seventh law enforcement death since late January.
“You know, ultimately, bad things can happen to you, but when you see it over and over again, it’s just a stark reminder of the dangers that our heroes face every day trying to go to work. He left his family yesterday, kissed his daughter goodbye too like every officer does, and you never know when bad things can happen to you,” Skeen said.
Starting Friday morning at 10 a.m., Deputy Howard will be escorted from Montgomery County Forensic Services in Conroe at 205 Hilbig Rd. to Claire Brothers in Houston, located at 5575 Pine St.