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Houston mayor IDs officer who drowned in Harvey floodwaters

Sgt. Steve Perez became trapped in high water and was unable to escape his patrol car

Duty Death: Steve Perez - [Houston]

End of Service: 27/08/2017

UPDATE 2: 57 p.m. (CST):

Associated Press

HOUSTON — Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner confirmed that police Sgt. Steve Perez has died after he became trapped in his patrol car as he was driving to work.

The Houston Chronicle has reported that the 30-year officer was heading to work Sunday when he became trapped in high water on Interstate 45 in north Harris County and then couldn’t get himself out of his car.

https://twitter.com/houstonpolice/status/902623792501067776 https://twitter.com/Breaking911/status/902614524846583809

EARLIER:

By Police1 Staff

HOUSTON — A police officer has drowned in his patrol car while driving to work to help with Harvey rescues.

The 30-year veteran was driving Sunday morning to work when his patrol car became trapped in high floodwaters, the Houston Chronicle reported. Police said he tried to get out but was unable to.

Search and rescue crews are recovering his body. His family has not been formally notified.

“He was trying different routes, and took a wrong turn,” one high-ranking official told the publication.

The Associated Press reported that authorities have only confirmed three deaths from Hurricane Harvey.