Liberty Co. deputy killed in car crash

HOUSTON The incident happened in the 1400 block of FM 770 in Saratoga. The sheriff's office said Deputy Odell McDuffie Jr. had just dropped off a juvenile in Hardin County and was headed back to Liberty when, according to the initial report, his vehicle left the roadway, he overcorrected, and ended up hitting some trees on the opposite side of the road. His vehicle subsequently caught on fire.

The sheriff's office says Odell was a 16-year veteran, worked in the civil division and was a mental health officer as well. He was very respected for his work with the mentally ill.

He is survived by his wife and three daughters.