A Texas constable assistant chief deputy died Monday morning from a gunshot wound sustained at a Harris County courthouse near Houston. The assistant chief deputy served in law enforcement for more than 30 years.
Harris County Precinct 3 Assistant Chief Deputy Clint Greenwood cried out for help after being shot behind the courthouse in Baytown, Texas (east of Houston). “I’m bleeding out,” Greenwood exclaimed on a radio call for assistance, KTRK ABC13 reported.
An as yet unidentified killer shot Chief Greenwood in the neck. Another deputy rushed to his assistance. The deputy applied pressure to his chief’s wound and held it while awaiting medical assistance. A Life Flight air ambulance took the mortally wounded law enforcement officer to Memorial Herman Hospital. He died shortly after arriving at the hospital.
The assailant fled the scene and remains at large, officials reported. Other nearby government buildings and schools locked down their facilities as a safety precaution.
Officials stated the 31-year veteran was on his way to work when the gunman approached and fired the fatal wound, Click2Houston reported.
“It’s very early on in the investigation. What I can tell you is that we have the full force of the Baytown Police Department working the case along with members of the (Harris County Sheriff’s Office), the Texas Rangers, the Precinct 3 Constables Department and the Gulf Coast Violent Defenders Task Force,” Baytown Police Lt. Steve Dorris told reporters.
Greenwood previously served as a major in the Harris County Sheriff’s Office. He commanded the Executive Bureau under then-Sheriff Ron Hickman.
“Clint Greenwood was a great guy and this terrible tragedy is a loss to the greater law enforcement community, but more poignantly, to his wife and family,” Sheriff Hickman told Breitbart Texas Monday morning. “As a friend for over twenty years, I knew Clint to be a good family man, a good lawyer, and a passionate peace officer. His wife and family continue to be in our prayers as they search for answers. He loved all things firearms and was a competitive distance shooter at one time.”
Police have not yet identified any suspects and wouldn’t offer specifics about why Anderson or other friends and former colleagues of slain peace officer Clint Greenwood have been offered security.
“It’s horrifying,” Anderson said Tuesday, of Monday’s shooting of the former prosecutor who previously headed the DA’s public integrity unit, which investigated police misconduct.
Less than a week before Greenwood was killed, he told county officials he felt threatened by a man he’d once targeted in a corruption investigation while he worked at the district attorney’s office.
“If somebody’s brazen enough to take an officer’s life, there obviously would be a little concern for the family [and friends] as well,” said Baytown Police Lt. Steve Dorris, referring to the extra protection as “precautionary.”
The killer remained at large late Tuesday despite an intense investigation by state, local and federal law enforcement agencies. Sources said investigators were looking at several possible suspects who may have dealings with and grievances against Greenwood in the past.
Baytown police – who are leading the investigation – released a video Tuesday afternoon showing a suspect walking in the area of the shooting. Authorities described him as a white or Hispanic man, about 6-foot to 6-foot-3, with short hair and a medium to stocky build.
A public funeral service for the lawman will be held Thursday at Second Baptist Church Houston, 6400 Woodway Dr. Public visitation is set for 10 a.m., followed by the service at 11 a.m.