Police Sgt. Steve Perez has died after he became trapped in his patrol car as he was driving to work in the aftermath of the deadly Hurricane Harvey, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner confirmed.
The 34-year veteran officer was heading to work Sunday when he drove under an underpass on Interstate 45 and became trapped in high water in north Harris County.
He then couldn’t get himself out of his car, Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo confirmed on Tuesday.
Perez is the 15th confirmed death in the aftermath of Harvey, which at its worse was a Category 4 hurricane.
More than 17,000 people have sought refuge in Texas shelters and that number seemed certain to increase, the American Red Cross said.
Perez, who was set to turn 60 in two days, is survived by his wife and two children.
“Steve is one of the sweetest people,” Acevedo said.
Get breaking National news
He said Perez, who was set to turn 60 in two days, was hard-working and gentle, noting that the officer spent hours trying to get to work.
Acevedo said Perez’ wife asked him not to go into work because the conditions were so bad but the officer replied, “We’ve got work to do.”
-
![]()
Dramatic video shows Blackhawk helicopter rescue stranded resident from rooftop -
![]()
Police rescue animals stranded at flooded shelter -
![]()
Texas man rides horse through floodwaters to save stranded livestock -
![]()
Video shows widespread damage in Corpus Christi from Hurricane Harvey -
![]()
Man describes buying boat to help rescue Hurricane Harvey victims -
![]()
The story behind Otis the dog’s viral photo from Harvey storm aftermath -
![]()
Hurricane Harvey: Drone video captures widespread flooding in Houston -
![]()
TV news crew helps rescue stranded truck driver during Tropical Storm Harvey -
![]()
Drone video shows devastation in Aransas Pass caused by Hurricane Harvey -
![]()
Amateur video shows parts of Houston underwater from Harvey flooding -
![]()
Hurricane Harvey leaves seniors stranded in waist-deep water at nursing home -
![]()
Texas Sheriff assists with rescue of man stuck in eight feet of water from Harvey floods -
![]()
Live TV coverage spots vehicle stuck in fast moving flood waters from traffic camera, person rescued -
![]()
Man sticks with sunk truck drifting in flood waters in Houston -
![]()
Boats fill roads in Texas as rescue workers provide help during flooding -
![]()
Boat flips as people try to travel through flooded waters in Houston -
![]()
Houston residents wade through waist high water after Harvey -
![]()
15 people rescued from capsized boat in Texas hurricane zone -
![]()
Rockport, Texas devastated after Hurricane Harvey makes landfall
The police chief said they looked for Perez Monday but had to abandon the search because of bad conditions.
“We could not put more officers at risk for what we knew in our hearts would be a recovery mission,” Acevedo said, with tears in his eyes.
Turner honoured Perez on Twitter, saying the officer “fulfilled his purpose.”
*With files from the Associated Press
Comments