Brazoria County Deputy Jesus Vargas shot while serving arrest warrant

HOUSTON — We’re learning more about the Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office deputy who was shot and killed Wednesday in southwest Houston.

Authorities say the incident happened around 11:30 a.m. at a shopping center near Stella Link Road, just inside the South Loop. It happened outside a Dollar Tree, where crime scene tape was seen around the parking lot.

BCSO Deputy Jesus Vargas was shot in the head and killed while he and other members of the U.S. Marshal’s Gulf Coast Violent Offender Task Force executed an arrest warrant against Robert Lee Davis, 56, a violent career criminal.

After an hours-long manhunt, Davis was killed in a shootout with law enforcement after a K9 found him hiding in a dumpster behind the same shopping center.

At a news conference, Brazoria County Sheriff Bo Stallman, accompanied by Houston Mayor John Whitmire and Houston Police Chief J. Noe Diaz, said Vargas was a 17-year veteran. years.

Stallman said Vargas was also a husband and father of three children.

“They are grieving, grieving, right now. I would ask that we all send our prayers and condolences to the family. That’s what we do as a department and as a Brazoria County community,” Stallman said.

In a Facebook post, the BCSO called Vargas “a dedicated public servant known for his integrity, compassion and commitment to our community.”

In addition to being part of the team, the sheriff’s office said Vargas was a friend, mentor and inspiration to all who knew him.

“His professionalism and kindness left a lasting impact on our office and the residents he served,” the post said.

The sheriff’s office said it will post information on its page regarding memorial and memorial services later.

“Congressman Vargas’ service and the positive impact he had in Brazoria County will never be forgotten. He will be greatly missed,” the post said.

After Davis was shot and killed, authorities held another news conference at the scene.

“He was a hero in my eyes. He was a winner. He gave 17 years of his life. Days, evenings, nights as a patrol officer,” Chief Diaz said of Deputy Vargas.

Southern District of Texas U.S. Marshal Thomas Michael O’Connor said during the news conference that he appointed Vargas as a special deputy U.S. marshal about a year ago.

“I think he was one of our first from Brazoria County and everyone was excited that he could have this opportunity. So we were able to make it happen and he did a wonderful job helping the members of the task force,” O’Connor said.

“We lost a hero today,” prosecutor Sean Teare said at the news conference.

According to the Officer Down Memorial Page, this is the 12th on-duty death for the Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office – the last occurring in 2011 when a deputy died in an accident. The last time a BCSO deputy was shot and killed was in 1973.

The 100 Club, a nonprofit organization that helps surviving family members of fallen law enforcement and firefighters, will present Vargas’ family with a check for $20,000.