Gov. Greg Abbott to honor 4 Harris County Pct. 4 Constable deputies, including fallen deputy Kareem Atkins, with the ‘Star of Texas’ award

HOUSTON – Four deputies with Pct. 4 Constable’s Office will be awarded the Star of Texas Award from Gov. Greg Abbott.

According to a release, the Star of Texas Award recognizes peace officers, firefighters and emergency medical first responders who were seriously hurt or killed in the line of duty.

The award comes after Pct. 4 Deputy Kareem Atkins was shot and killed outside a north Houston bar back in October of last year. Deputies Juqaim Barthen and Darryl Garrett were also shot, but were since released from the hospital.

In July of 2020, Pct. 4 Deputy Chris Hendrix was shot while responding to a disturbance in north Harris County. He underwent a full recovery and returned a few months later.

Previously related stories:

• Deputy constable shot in N. Harris County; SWAT team finds suspect dead inside apartment: HCSO
• 1 Pct. 4 deputy killed, 2 others wounded in ambush outside N Houston bar, authorities say