HOUSTON — On Sunday, Harris County Sheriff's Office deputy Darren Almendarez's family had the barbecue they were supposed to have on Friday to celebrate his sister's birthday.
Sadly, they had to have it without him.
Instead of celebrating, they are left remembering the family man who lost his life Thursday night when he was shot by suspects allegedly trying to steal his truck's catalytic converter while he was grocery shopping with his wife.
A procession will be held at 8 a.m. for Deputy Almendarez as he is escorted to a funeral home in northeast Houston. You can stream it on KHOU.com and on our YouTube channel.
His 14-year-old daughter, Andrea Almendarez, spoke to KHOU 11 News with her family by her side. She remembers their daddy-daughter dates. Her hat that reads "Daddy's Girl" says it all.
“He was a very caring person. He was very, very loving," she said.
Almendarez came from a big family. He was one of 12 siblings. His brothers and sisters remember the man who they say, "had heart of gold.
"He really did. Everybody who met him loved him," his brother, Steve, said. “We’re devastated. I don’t know how we’re going to do it."
Almendarez's sister, Margarita, remembers the self-made man who worked at a fast-food restaurant to make ends meet.
“My dad looked through the window and saw him mopping the floors. He said he did whatever he had to do to survive,” Margarita said.
He was shopping for his sister Shirley's birthday when he was killed. She remembers him as a protector who served his community the same way he served his family.
“He would still always offer me ... during bad weather to come stay with him because he wanted me to be safe. And that’s just how my brother is. He’s an amazing, amazing brother," Shirley said.
Andrea, surrounded by her family, said it best.
“He was a hero," Andrea said.
Almendarez's niece, Alice, who lost her own father, said her uncle was there for her every step of the way.
"He loved to protect and serve, but he loved to protect and guide us, too ... they stole our father father figure from all of us. He's irreplaceable," Alice said.