HOUSTON — A Harris County Precinct 5 corporal was shot and killed early Sunday morning during a traffic stop in southwest Houston.
The deputy has been identified as Corporal Charles Galloway. He has been with the department for 12 and a half years and recently served as a field training officer.
On Monday, Houston Police Chief Troy Finner said they have identified the suspect as 51-year-old Oscar Rosales. A manhunt is underway for the capital murder suspect and a $60,000 reward is offered for information leading to his arrest and conviction.
What we know
- The traffic stop happened in the 9100 block of Beechnut
- Galloway pulled over a white, newer model, 4-door Toyota Avalon at about 12:45 a.m.
- Witnesses said the suspect got out of his vehicle and immediately fired at Galloway's patrol vehicle multiple times before driving off.
- The Houston Police Department is handling this investigation.
- The unidentified suspect is still on the run.
During an early morning press conference, Houston Police Department Chief Troy Finner called this incident senseless and said he believes an assault-type weapon was used in this shooting.
Finner said Galloway was conducting a traffic stop and before he could get out of his patrol car, the suspect got out of his vehicle and started firing his weapon towards Galloway.
“He (the suspect) got out of his vehicle, immediately fired upon the deputy multiple times, striking him and then drove off,” said Chief Finner.
Harris County Precinct 5 Constable Ted Heap said it appears Galloway didn't even have time to respond or defend himself.
“When somebody decides to engage and take the life of a police officer because of a routine traffic stop, then I think we have a breakdown in how society is supposed to be,” said Heap.
When Air 11 flew over Corporal Galloway's patrol vehicle Sunday, it had several bullet holes in the windshield.
“Message to the suspect, the best thing you can do is turn yourself in peacefully," Finner said.
Heap said we are seeing these types of incidents on a regular basis in Harris County and it has to stop.
“We have got to put an end to this," Heap said. “I don’t want to raise my family, my grandchildren, in a county where this type of crime is running rampant.”
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo says she is heartbroken over Galloway's death.
"I just spoke with his sister," said Hidalgo. "This is a tragedy nobody should have to face.”
What we know about Charles Galloway
Heap said Galloway was loved by the women and men he served with.
Galloway joined Harris County Precinct 5 in 2009 and has been serving the community for more than 12 years. He worked in many aspects of the patrol division and was most recently assigned to the toll road division. During that time, he switched to night shifts so he could be a field training officer.
Heap said his role was to mentor younger officers, teaching them how to be safe and efficient officers.
"There is a lot of very broken up officers who he meant a lot in their lives because he was the one sitting in the front seat with him," Heap said. "He was the one teaching them what to do and how to get home safely to their families and here we are this evening with the roles reversed."
Galloway was 47. He is survived by his daughter and sister.
Watch the full morning briefing in the YouTube video below:
Crime Stoppers of Houston is offering up to a $5,000 reward in this case.