Gonzalez on deputy killed by catalytic converter thieves: 'An outstanding member of our HCSO family, he will be missed'

An off-duty Harris County Sheriff's deputy was killed on Thursday night (March 31) when he attempted to stop an alleged catalytic converter theft, according to Sheriff Ed Gonzalez and reports from Houston-based media outlets.

Gonzalez tweeted that Darren Almendarez and his wife were grocery shopping for a cookout he had planned for his sister's birthday when he spotted individuals trying to steal his truck's catalytic converter.

"He told his wife to run, as he encountered multiple suspects," Gonzalez tweeted. "Gunfire was exchanged between he and suspects. Sadly, Deputy Almendarez was fatally wounded. "[He] was an outstanding member of our HCSO family. He will be missed. May he rest in peace."

Gonzalez said the incident that involved three unknown individuals occurred in the parking lot of the Joe V's Smart Shop in the 2900 block of FM 1960 at Aldine Westfield in north Houston at 8:40 p.m., Houston ABC affiliate KTRK reported.

The suspects' vehicle was reportedly pockmarked by bullet holes. According to the station, two of the suspects took themselves to the hospital while the other fled the scene.

Houston NBC affiliate KPRC reported that the suspects who went to the hospital are under HCSO custody.

“You know, we’re tired of this crime in our community," Gonzalez said, according to KPRC. “We’re tired that people aren’t even safe to go out to the grocery store. This is a cop. This is a cop that’s just out with his family. It could be any one of us. And it happened to be him. That’s unacceptable and we’ve said it time and time again, and I just don’t know what else to say.”

According to Houston CBS affiliate KHOU, the 51-year-old Almendarez worked 23 years in law enforcement and served as an auto theft investigator for HCSO.

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo tweeted that the deputy's passing left her "absolutely heartbroken."

"My heart goes out to all our law enforcement family and to his loved ones," Hidalgo said. 

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, who is wrapping up an economic development mission in Mexico, issued a statement hailing Almendarez as a "loyal public servant," KHOU reported.

"I ask everyone to join me in praying for the deputy’s family, his coworkers and for the senseless violence to end," Turner said in the statement.