HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Deputy Darren Goforth was filling up his patrol car's gas tank in northwest Harris County when he was gunned down for no apparent reason Friday night. Harris County Deputy Thomas Gilliland says the deputy was in uniform and pumping gas at a station off Telge and West when someone walked up and shot him repeatedly.
"A male suspect came up from behind the deputy and shot the deputy multiple times. The deputy then fell to ground. The suspect then continued over to him and shot the deputy again multiple times as he laid on the ground," Gilliland said.
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Officers described the suspect only as a dark-complexioned man who's about 5 feet 11 inches tall. He had short hair, possibly a fade cut. He was wearing a white T-shirt and red shorts at the time of the shooting and fled the scene in a dark red Ford Ranger. A suspect was taken into custody hours later at a home in Copperfield.
Deputy Goforth, a 10-year veteran assigned to the west district patrol in District 5, died at the scene. He leaves behind a wife and two children.
Harris County deputies Rios and Goodrich stand tearfully at the site of their fallen comrade. (HCN Photo)
Yolanda Pounds, of Copperfield, knelt to pray next to the growing memorial at the site of the murder of Harris County Deputy Darren Goforth. (HCN Photo)
Jacob Castelan, 6, shakes the hand of Harris County Deputy Ticas at the site of the shooting of Deputy Goforth to thank him for his service. (HCN Photo)
Someone captured this photo of a couple of Starbucks customers praying with a law enforcement officer. (iWitness Photo)
Deputy Darren Goforth seen in this viewer-submitted photo; "Goforth stopping by our National Night Out in Stone Gate last year. He was so kind and awesome with all our kids." (iWitness viewer-submitted photo)
Here is a photo that was released by the family of Harris County Deputy Darren Goforth. (Photo/Goforth Family photo)
Huge crowd gathers at prayer walk to remember Deputy Goforth in NW Harris County (KTRK Photo)
Huge crowd gathers at prayer walk to remember Deputy Goforth in NW Harris County (KTRK Photo)
Huge crowd gathers at prayer walk to remember Deputy Goforth in NW Harris County (KTRK Photo)
A make-shift memorial was set up at the gas station where the deputy was gunned down Friday night. (KTRK/Chauncy Glover)
A make-shift memorial was set up at the gas station where the deputy was gunned down Friday night. (KTRK/Chauncy Glover)
A make-shift memorial was set up at the gas station where the deputy was gunned down Friday night. (KTRK/Chauncy Glover)
Deputy Darren Goforth (Harris Co. Sheriff's Office)