HOUSTON – The following is a timeline of several stories KPRC 2 Investigates has produced involving former HPD Chief Art Acevedo ranging from Harding Street, to his firing as police chief in Miami, to a recent report showing HPD’s former chief being served while in uniform in Aurora, Colorado (his now former employer) for the Harding Street civil lawsuit.
2019 - Harding Street
1 on 1 with Acevedo on Harding Street
KPRC2 Investigative reporter Mario Diaz sat down with Houston Police Department Chief Art Acevedo on Friday to talk about the investigation into his department’s role in a deadly shootout last month. The Jan. 28 shootout left Dennis Tuttle and Rhogena Nicholas dead and four Houston police officers shot.
“It’s really important for the community to realize, we still had reason to be at that home, we should not draw final conclusions as disturbing as it is, until we discover every single investigative lead,” Acevedo said in a 2019 interview.
For nearly 100 days, KPRC 2 Investigates has exposed several key angles of the investigation into the deadly botched raid along Harding Street. The series of investigative reports have put the raid in the spotlight as the Houston Police Department, Harris County District Attorney’s Office, and the FBI attempt to piece together the mystery that led to the four officers getting shot as well as the shooting deaths of Dennis Tuttle and Rhogena Nicholas.
Harding Street officers charged
In the hours following the bombshell announcement, HPD Chief Art Acevedo held a news conference that lasted nearly 30 minutes.
Acevedo told the city: “We didn’t need to lie. We could have done this right.” The chief also stated, “When somebody lies to obtain a search warrant, that’s a problem.”
However, Acevedo made one thing clear regarding the question of probable cause: “I stand by that, we had probable cause to be there.”
A week earlier, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced murder charges against former Houston Police Department narcotics Officer Gerald Goines and a charge of tampering with a government document against former Officer Steven Bryant.
2020 - Scrutiny and Soaring homicide numbers
Scrutiny over Houston Police Department and Transparency
HPD is being scrutinized after six deadly officer-involved shootings in the past five weeks. This is as Houston’s Police Chief Art Acevedo comments on the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis back in May 2020.
Houston Police Department Chief Art Acevedo held a news conference Friday morning to address the surging homicide numbers in the city.
“We’re not going to make excuses we are going to continue to do our very best to make a difference,” Acevedo said.
But did the strategy work?
2021 - “500 murders” and a tumbling venture
Before departing for Miami, Acevedo made a grim proclamation for the City of Houston during a news conference.
Acevedo admitted his strategy to combat homicides in Houston is not working, resulting in another record year for killings, “Get ready for 500 murders at the rate this is going.”
When reminded by KPRC 2 Investigates Mario Diaz that the rise in homicides is happening under his watch, Acevedo said, “Ok, it’s under my watch, Mario and I’ll be gone, and bring in the best chief, bring in any chief .. but I’ve got a prediction.” Perplexed by his response, KPRC 2 Investigates asked Acevedo, “But Miami says you’re the best Chief?”
“You know Mario, I’m done with you. Actually, I’m done with you for my lifetime. Thank God.”
Crime trends in Houston during Acevedo’s time
KPRC 2 Investigates looked at four different categories of crime reported over five years -- from 2016, before Art Acevedo became Houston’s chief of police, through 2020, his last full year. Then, those numbers were compared to those numbers with the city’s trend in crime since 1985.
Miami City Council scrutinizes Acevedo leading up to firing
Acevedo’s reputation and career were on full display in Miami during a special meeting focused on his job performance after only five months.
Acevedo has been criticized for self-inflicted missteps that have not painted him or the department in a positive light, according to multiple city commissioners.
“I’ve never seen anybody make so many mistakes in such a short period of time,” said Commissioner Alex Diaz De La Portilla.
2022 and 2023
Acevedo remains primarily below the radar and accepts the role of Interim Chief in Colorado’s third-largest city, Aurora.
2024 - Moving back
Acevedo changes deposition date, moves back to Texas
KPRC 2 Investigates first reported former Houston Police Department Chief Art Acevedo will answer questions regarding his actions surrounding the deadly botched raid on Harding Street nearly five years ago.
However, KPRC 2 Investigates learned that the deposition was not taking place. Through his attorneys, Acevedo says he can’t be there because he is moving back to the Lone Star State.
Houston’s new administration, led by Mayor John Whitmire, added $1.7 million to defend the city and former Police Chief Art Acevedo in the legal battle with the families of Dennis Tuttle and Rhogena Nicholas.
The funds were approved by Mayor Whitmire and Houston City Council, marking a significant step in continuing the fight over the controversial HPD raid.
Harding Street five years later
January 28, 2024 will be five years since the raid.
In the aftermath, KPRC 2 Investigates uncovered legal documents showing HPD entered the home on a bogus warrant created by narcotics officer Gerald Goines.
Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg charged Goines with murder in August 2019. Ogg’s mission since the raid has been to seek justice for the families of Dennis and Rhogena.
“We are not going to bring the family back to life, but we are going to hold the people responsible who should be held responsible,” said Ogg in an Interview with KPRC 2 Investigates in 2019.
