Honoring

Deputy Sheriff Jesus Vargas

Brazoria County Sheriff's Office, Texas

EOW: Jan. 15, 2025 | Age: None | Tour: 17 Years

Deputy Sheriff Jesus Vargas was shot and killed while serving a warrant at Stella Link Road north of Interstate 610 in Houston at 11:30 a.m. When Deputy Vargas and his partner approached the subject, the suspect fired at deputies from his vehicle. Deputy Vargas was transported to the Ben Taub Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds. The suspect, who was a repeat violent offender, fled the scene. When a U.S. Marshals Service canine located the suspect hiding in a dumpster, the suspect fired multiple shots at the K9. A responding officer returned fire, killing the suspect. The canine suffered two bullet wounds to the neck and nose and is in stable condition. Deputy Vargas had served with the Brazoria County Sheriff's Office for 17 years. He also served with the United States Marshal's Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Task Force. He is survived by his wife and three children.

Honoring

Sergeant Mark Butler

Navasota Police Department, Texas

EOW: Jan. 15, 2025 | Age: None | Tour: 3 Years

Sergeant Mark Butler was killed in a head-on collision during a pursuit on Highway 6 near Farm-to-Market 3090 in Navasota. When College Station officers confronted a female suspect attempting to cash fraudulent checks at a bank, the suspect fled southbound on Highway 6. At the FM 2154 ramp, the suspect exited Highway 6 and reentered the highway, traveling south in the northbound lanes. At 3:30 p.m., Sergeant Butler, who was traveling northbound, maneuvered his marked patrol vehicle and collided with the suspect, preventing her from hitting other motorists on the highway. He was transported to CHI St. Joseph Hospital – Grimes Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. The suspect was killed at the scene. Sergeant Butler was a United States Army veteran and had served with the Navasota Police Department for almost four years.