Message from Sheriff Ed Gonzalez – Remembering Our Heroes: HCSO Peace Officer’s Memorial Service 2025

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Visit the Harris County Sheriff’s Office Homepage

The Harris County Sheriff’s Office invites our community to attend our annual Peace Officer’s Memorial Service on Thursday, May 1, 2025, at the Dave Ward Building, Crime Stoppers of Houston, 3001 Main Street. The ceremony will begin at 7 p.m.

Each year, we gather as a community to honor and remember the brave law enforcement officers who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. It is a solemn moment of reflection, unity, and gratitude—a time to stand with the families of the fallen and reaffirm that their courage and sacrifice will never be forgotten.

This year’s ceremony will include a formal presentation of honors and heartfelt tributes to those we have lost. Through these moments, we renew our commitment to uphold the values our fallen heroes lived by: duty, integrity, and service.

In Remembrance of Our HCSO Deputies:

This year, we pay special tribute to four members of our HCSO family whose lives were tragically lost in 2024.

Name Details
Deputy Rondald Bates Deputy Bates died in a vehicle crash while on his way to work an extra shift. A 32-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office, he was a loving husband, father, and a deeply respected teammate in Jail Operations.
Deputy Bryan Sweetman Deputy Sweetman passed away from health complications linked to his exposure to toxic chemicals during the 2017 Arkema plant explosion. Even after his retirement in 2020, he remained a symbol of strength and dedication.
Detective John Coddou III Detective Coddou was struck and killed while assisting with a crash on the Grand Parkway. A respected member of the Violent Crimes Unit, he was known for his leadership and compassion.
Detective Fernando Esqueda Detective Esqueda was ambushed and fatally shot after locating a vehicle connected to a violent crime. He served with unwavering bravery and made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

Though these brave teammates are no longer with us, their legacy endures — through the work we continue, the values we uphold, and the love shared by their families and colleagues. They will forever remain a part of our HCSO family.

We invite the community to stand with us in remembering these heroes and all peace officers who gave their lives in service to others. Let us honor their memory, their sacrifice, and their impact—today and always. To learn more about our fallen heroes, please visit harriscountyso.org.

Join HCSO at the Missing in Southeast Texas Day

The Harris County Sheriff’s Office invites the community to attend Missing in Southeast Texas Day, a meaningful event dedicated to supporting families with missing loved ones.

📅 Saturday, May 3, 2025
🕙 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
📍 The Children’s Assessment Center, 2500 Bolsover Street, Houston

This free, public event provides families an opportunity to share vital information, submit DNA samples, and connect with law enforcement in hopes of finding answers or long-overdue closure.

At the event, families can:

  • File new missing persons reports or update existing ones

  • Provide DNA cheek swabs from biological relatives to aid in identifying unknown remains

  • Connect with bilingual staff for assistance in English and Spanish

  • Share identifying information including:

    • Medical/dental records, X-rays, or personal effects

    • Posters or flyers for the Wall of the Missing, a tribute space honoring those still unaccounted for

    • Recent photos (especially those showing tattoos, scars, or other unique features)

Please bring:

  • Photos of your missing loved one

  • Medical/dental records (if available)

  • Police reports or case documents

  • A biological relative from the mother’s side (for DNA collection)

  • Flyers or posters for the memorial wall

This event is a powerful reminder that no case is too old, and no person is ever forgotten. Missing in Southeast Texas Day is about hope, healing, and taking meaningful steps toward resolution.

We encourage you to attend, share this information, and stand in support of the many families still searching. Together, we can help bring loved ones home.

HCSO In the News


Abc13: Auto theft investigation leads deputies to find blank key fobs, Harris County Sheriff’s Office says
HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) — Authorities say an auto theft investigation led them to find several blank key fobs on Monday.

Captain James Lovett with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office shared an image on social media platform X showing the key fobs they had located. He said a programmer was also found.


Abc13: Houston woman swindled out of $12K in fake jury scam speaks out as a warning to others
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — We all think we are smart enough not to get swindled, but are we? A Houston mother of two was working at her downtown Houston job when she received a call that sent her through a three-hour ordeal that ended with her losing thousands of dollars.

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Teammate of the Week

Harris County Sheriff’s Office Teammate of the Week: Sheriff Ed Gonzalez and the HCSO highlight exceptional teammates who serve others above and beyond their duties. We regularly receive positive emails, thank you notes, and phone calls from the community.

“I was pulled over by Deputy Hirsch, and even though I was in the wrong, he was very polite, courteous, and understanding. I just wanted to thank him and let him know he is doing a great job,” said a Harris County resident. “I know officers don’t receive enough appreciation, and Deputy Hirsch deserves a compliment for the way he handled my traffic stop.”

Deputy Aljoscha Hirsch began his law enforcement career in 2013 as a Detention Officer. In 2015, he became a Peace Officer for Harris County Precinct 4 and transferred to HCSO in 2023. Currently, he serves our community as a patrol deputy in District 4, located in West Harris County.

Scam Alert!

Scammers are pretending to be HCSO officers to steal your money! They may call or text, claiming you missed jury duty and demanding payment.

Remember: Law enforcement will NEVER:

  • Call to demand money for missing jury duty.

  • Ask for personal information over the phone.

  • Threaten you with arrest for missing jury duty.

What to do if you receive a suspicious call:

  1. Hang up immediately!

  2. Verify your jury duty status: Call the Harris County District Clerk’s Office at 713-755-6392.

  3. Report the scam: Call HCSO at 713-221-6000.

Stay vigilant and protect yourself!

Motorist Assistance Program

Tragic crashes involving disabled vehicles are on the rise. Did you know the Harris County Sheriff’s Office offers free 24/7 roadside assistance through our Motorist Assistance Program (M.A.P.)? If you’re stranded, call 713-CALL-MAP (713-225-5627). M.A.P. is available Monday through Friday.

Bank Jugging Alert!

Criminals watch people withdraw cash from ATMs or banks and then follow them to steal the money.

These incidents can happen quickly, especially when someone is alone or distracted. Always stay alert, avoid counting cash in public, and keep an eye out for suspicious individuals or vehicles nearby. If something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts and contact law enforcement.

Stay vigilant and help us prevent these crimes!

Flying a Drone? Know the Rules!

Whether you’re capturing epic footage or just having fun in the backyard — here’s what you need to know to fly legally and safely:

Recreational Flyers (Just for Fun):

  • Must pass the free FAA TRUST test

  • Fly under 400 ft and keep it in sight

  • Stay away from people, cars, and emergency scenes

  • Controlled airspace? Get FAA approval first

  • Your drone must broadcast Remote ID info (or fly at an approved FRIA)

Commercial / Work-Related Flyers:

  • Must have a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate

  • Follow strict FAA rules on airspace, altitude, and visibility

  • Flying for business or law enforcement? Make sure you’re certified!

Remember, never fly near wildfires, police scenes, or restricted areas. Violating FAA rules can result in fines, and interfering with emergency operations could lead to criminal charges.

Rape Aggression Defense (RAD)

HCSO Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) 4-Day Training Class successfully completed! Our team provided this class to HCSO civilian employees, marking the relaunch of this program! We are incredibly proud of these amazing ladies as they stayed committed and completed the course like true champions! A huge thank you to the Katy Police Department for all of their assistance.

Please look out for upcoming class dates, which will be released soon! We are enthusiastic about relaunching this program to enhance community safety. Please be aware that our 2025 program schedule is complete. Additional pre-scheduled classes for this year will be announced soon, and you will have the opportunity to register when the class is announced!

Texas Chapter of the FBI National Academy Associates

The Harris County Sheriff’s Office was proud to host the Texas Chapter of the FBI National Academy Associates (FBI National Academy Associates, Inc. – FBINAA) for their April Luncheon.

We were honored to welcome Harris County District Attorney’s Office Sean Teare as our featured presenter.

Thank you to everyone who attended. It was a privilege to connect, collaborate, and continue strengthening our partnerships in public safety.

2nd Annual Retiree BBQ Luncheon

HCSO fired up the grill for our 2nd Annual Retiree BBQ Luncheon at Alexander Deussen Park. From live music to delicious food and great company, it was a memorable day celebrating our incredible retired teammates.

Thank you to everyone who joined us!