After a courageous battle against cancer, it is with a heavy heart that we must announce that Harris County District Attorney Mike Anderson passed away. We all have suffered a terrible loss today of a devoted public servant, husband, and father. His sense of justice, his wisdom and support, his easy laugh, and, most of all, his friendship were his gifts to us. He loved this office and the people here serving the citizens of Harris County.
Mike was elected District Attorney in November 2012 after 12 years as a State District Judge and 17 years as a prosecutor for Harris County. He prosecuted every level of crime from misdemeanor to capital murders. He was a tenacious prosecutor whose knowledge of the law and courtroom skills put criminals behind bars and assured victims that justice was done.
Prominent Houston defense attorney Dan Cogdell says Mike was respected by all in the criminal justice community. "The defining thing about Mike was his character. He made the calls that were right, not the calls that were popular. While I was on the other side of his decisions and didn't always agree, I always respected his decisions. He was a lawyer's lawyer and a man's man."
Mike was a Harris County native, born and reared in Pasadena. He graduated from Pearland High School, Texas Lutheran College, and South Texas College of Law. He is survived by his wife, Devon, children Sam and Brynn, parents J.B. and Carol Anderson, his sister Jan Bailey, her husband Brent and their children. "We want to thank everyone for their prayers, and ask at this time that you respect our privacy," says Mike's brother-in-law Dr. Brent Bailey. Funeral arrangements are pending.
Belinda Hill
First Assistant
Harris County District Attorney's Office
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