Our Sheriff’s Office family came together on Wednesday to celebrate the life of our brother and teammate, Detention Officer Robert Perez.
We were joined by his close circle of loved ones and remembered a beloved father, brother, and public servant who devoted his life to his sons, Armando and Diego, and community. He is our fourth colleague agency-wide to pass away after contracting COVID-19.
Over the past five years in our ranks, Detention Officer Perez showed us what makes the Sheriff’s Office “The Pride of Texas.”
He answered the call for service at an early age, enlisting in the U.S. Navy the same year he graduated Brazosport High School in 1985. He served his country for nearly a decade, earning a number of service ribbons and accolades.
He was made for the job, working shoulder to shoulder with his fellow detention officers inside the county jail to ensure the well-being of everyone there.
Last week’s record-setting, bitterly cold temperatures and massive power outage crisis in the face of a pandemic and rising jail population were a reminder of one of our most important responsibilities – overseeing the state’s largest jail.
As hard as this was on so many within our Sheriff’s Office family and across our greater community, Detention Officer Perez’s spirit was with us.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, we have been met with an unending string of challenges. Detention Officer Perez answered the call every shift, day in and day out, despite the hardships.
As a detention officer, you show up in people’s lives on what may be their worst days and are on the front lines of safeguarding their care. Detention Officer Perez understood this responsibility and was honored to earn the public’s faith and trust every time he put his uniform on.
His greatest assignment of all was being a father. At the center of his world were his two sons. He was a hands-on dad and role model, always going above and beyond to care for them.
We honor him by staying the course at a moment when our community needs us the most. Each of us plays a role in fighting this virus. Each of us must lead by example and build on what’s working – staying informed, remaining positive, and following the guidance of the CDC and local public health officials.
We pray that Detention Officer Perez’s family finds peace and comfort in knowing how the difference he made. We will keep him and his family in our hearts.
Winter Storm Recovery Help
Many of our neighbors are still facing home issues and in need of basic necessities. The ReadyHarris Winter Weather Recovery Page has a wide range of recovery information for those seeking assistance.
Basic Needs Assistance
The 211 Texas/United Way HELPLINE answers calls from our community 24/7/365 days a year. Those with internet access can also go online to check for available resources. The 211 Texas/United Way HELPLINE is updated daily as resources become available.
FEMA Assistance
Texans in more than 100 counties can begin applying for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help them recover from last week’s winter storm. Insured Texans should first file claims through their existing policies. Learn what steps to take before applying for assistance here.
Texans interested in receiving disaster assistance must apply through disasterassistance.gov. Residents without internet access can call FEMA toll-free at 1-800-621-3362 to apply for assistance or check application status.
Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.
Houston Harris County Winter Storm Relief Fund
The Houston Harris County Winter Storm Relief Fund is dedicated to filling the gaps that may not be met by other local and federal efforts.
To learn about fund resources as they become available, text HoustonFreeze to 898211 or for Spanish, text HoustonAyuda to 898211. As soon as assistance is available, residents will be texted back with eligibility and application guidelines.