Texas PD employee dies while trying to drive to work during hurricane

Houston Police Department Information Security Officer Russell Richardson, 54, died after his vehicle was submerged in floodwaters

July 09, 2024 11:16 AM

By Joanna Putman
Police1

HOUSTON — A Houston Police Department employee has died while driving to work as Hurricane Beryl caused flooding, KHOU reported.

Trending

Body Camera

BWC shows Ill. 3-year-old hostage fatally wounded in OIS

A man was holding a mother and two children at knifepoint when a Princeton Police sergeant fired shots; the suspect then grabbed the wounded child and fought against officers trying to save him

July 10, 2026 01:27 PM

Joanna Putman

Search and Rescue

BWC: NYPD cops rescue woman seated atop Brooklyn Bridge beam

NYPD officers were able to reach her on a high bridge cable and offer encouragement before grabbing her and pulling her to safety

July 10, 2026 10:06 AM

Fleet Management

Md. police test electric patrol vehicles for frontline use

Hyattsville police are tracking range, charging, call volume and energy use to determine whether EVs can meet daily patrol demands

July 10, 2026 10:23 AM

Sarah Roebuck

Traffic Stop

New Ohio law requires drivers, passengers to identify themselves during traffic stops or face charges

House Bill 492 makes it a misdemeanor for a driver or passenger to refuse to provide their name, address or date of birth when an officer reasonably suspects they have violated Ohio motor-vehicle laws

July 10, 2026 10:33 AM

Information Security Officer Russell Richardson, 54, died on July 8 after his car was submerged in floodwaters, Mayor John Whitmire announced during a news conference.

Richardson was on his way to work when he exited I-45 and encountered high water at an underpass, according to the report. He called his HPD colleagues for help, but they were unable to rescue him.

“We ask everyone to keep Russell’s family—his wife and children—and his co-workers and friends in your prayers,” Acting Police Chief Larry Satterwhite said in a post on social media.

During the news conference, Whitmire and other city leaders paused for a moment of silence to honor Richardson, according to the report.