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

By Joanna Putman
Police1

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

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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.