Deputy Detwiler was killed yesterday when he and other officers responded to a home after reports that a woman had shot at a water meter reader. Today, we got our first look at Gilbert Ortez, the man accused of fatally shooting Deputy Detwiler, and Pamela Leggett, the woman accused of shooting at the meter reader.
Ortez was also killed yesterday. Chambers County Justice of the Peace Larry Cryer says Deputy Detwiler and Ortez both died from at least one gunshot wound to the head.
Investigators are still working the scene after discovering a signifcant amount of explosives at the home where Deputy Detwiler was killed yesterday. They are trying to figure out just how much is there and how they can most safely remove it. FBI, ATF, the Bay Area bomb squad and Chambers County Sheriffs Office are on the scene, as well as Texas Rangers and emergency medical personnel.
At the Chambers County Sheriff's Office today, flags were at half staff and flowers were put at the foot of the flagpole in a gesture of mourning.
Investigators say Deputy Detwiler responded to the scene after a report that the meter reader had come under attack. When he tried to enter the house, investigators say Ortez started shooting a high power weapon, striking Detwiler. Hours later, deputies stormed the home and found Ortez dead inside.
Leggett was arrested for resisting arrest and aggravated assault. She had no prior arrest record. Ortez, however, had been sentenced to probation twice for carrying a weapon unlawfully.
Ortez's family is now calling for an independent investigation. They say deputies entered his home without consent or a warrant. Whether or not they had cause is something authorities will have to investigate. They say he had surveillance cameras surrounding the trailer. It is unclear if those cameras recorded the shooting.
Deputy Detwiler's family pastor describes the deceased deputy as a "man's man," a man committed to his family. He leaves behind family, including a wife of 13 years and three children, the oldest four years old and the youngest 8 months.
Helping out
"The 100 Club of Houston" will help Deputy Shane Detwiller family cover his funeral expenses. If you'd like to make a donation, visit the 100 Club of Houston website to help the families of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.
Remembering Deputy Detwiler
A visitation for Deputy Detwiler will be held at the Eagle Heights Fellowship on Thursday between 3pm and 8pm It's located on 14,120 Highway 146 The funeral will be Friday at 10am at Miranotha Church at 12,319 Highway 146 in Mont Belvieu. That church was chosen specifically because it has the capacity to hold ablout 3000 people. A big crowd is expected to come paying final respects.
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