SWAT officers find gas station employees safe

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A SWAT team is at the scene of an armed robbery attempt in Montgomery County.

Oak Ridge and Conroe police and Montgomery County Sheriff's deputies were called to a Shell station on State Highway 242 near I-45 around 3am where two armed suspects had entered the store through the McDonalds drive-through. A customer called 911.

Oak Ridge and Conroe Police officers arrived on the scene and believed that employees were still inside the store with the suspects. One of the employees was able to escape through the drive-through while the suspects were distracted.

"What we know at this time, is that we believe there are two armed robbers inside the store with two employees of the McDonalds and the Shell," said Lt. Dan Norris of the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office.

Initial attempts to contact anyone inside the business were unsuccessful and SWAT and crisis negotiators were called to the scene. Multiple attempts were made to contact anyone inside the business and eventually one employee came out that had been hiding behind a counter, authorities said. The witness did not know if the suspects were still inside but two employees were unaccounted for and they were believed to still be inside the business.

SWAT entered the business at about 7am and found two employees hiding in a back room and the suspects were gone. Investigators with the Sheriff's Office and the Texas Rangers are interviewing witnesses.

The suspects are described as two black males, 5'9" to 5'10" wearing a black hoodie and mask with gloves.

Crime Stoppers will pay up to a $1,000 cash reward for information leading to an arrest or indictment of a felony crime. Anyone with informaiton can call 800-392-STOP (7867). Anonymous tips can also be made through the Montgomery County Crime Stoppers Web Page at www.montgomerycountycrimestoppers.org.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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HPD: Man high on PCP leads officers on chase

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A man is facing an evading arrest charge after leading police on a chase across the south side of Houston overnight. Authorities believe the suspect was high on PCP.

Authorities subdued the man at a gas station on Lockwood at Navigation. Officers say the chase started on Westheimer at Hillcroft. That's where the man actually flagged an officer, telling him someone at a nightclub had spiked his drink.

"While the officer was attempting to gather information from him, he ran and got back in his car and at that point, the pursuit started," said Officer SJ Reece with the Houston Police Department. "The officer tried to catch back up with him, but instead he sped down eastbound on Westheimer; he ran many red lights."

The man eventually stopped on his own and surrendered to officers. He was taken to the hospital for evaluation.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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Sex offender back in jail after officers say they found child porn on his laptop

Jack Edward Logan faces three charges of possession of images of child pornography and one count of violation of a protective order.

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A registered sex offender went back to jail after officers say they found child pornography on his laptop.

Jack Edward Logan faces three charges of possession of images of child pornography and one count of violation of a protective order. Harris County Precinct 4 investigators say Logan went to his wife's home in violation of that protective order. Deputy constables say Logan left his laptop there.

The wife gave the computer to authorities who say they found numerous images of child porn on the laptop.

Logan was arrested and placed into the Harris County Jail without incident.

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HPD officers collide, injuring 2

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Two Houston police cruisers crashed into each other in northeast Houston this morning.

The two vehicles collided on Weaver near Peachtree at around 6:30am.

According to an HPD spokesperson, one officer, traveling by himself, slammed into the rear end of another squad car that had two officers inside.

Both cars sustained heavy damage. Rescue teams had to use the Jaws of Life to pry open the door on one of the vehicles.

The solo officer sustained the worst of the injuries, suffering a serious neck injury. One officer from the unit hit in the rear also suffered neck and back pain. Both were taken to Memorial Hermann Hospital. The third officer wasn't transported.

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Four HPD officers accused of issuing tickets for chance to get overtime

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- We're learning more about the Houston police officer disciplined for inappropriate behavior while writing tickets.

What they did was all in an effort to get themselves to court and thus eligible for court overtime pay, according to city disciplinary records. There were four officers involved and all four have been suspended without pay.

Three of the four officers suspended worked out of HPD's central patrol, and you might remember one of them from a 13 Undercover investigation. Two years ago, senior police officer Matthew Davis was writing about 10,000 tickets a month, earning him in 2009 about $60,000 in overtime pay. Testifying at court earns police officers overtime.

Davis, Sgt. Paul Terry and officers Steven Running and Kenneth Bigger are all off the job because of some of their ticket-writing practices.

According to city disciplinary records, they unnecessarily listed one another as witnesses on tickets. One officer just drove himself to the city jail where a suspect had already been taken. The investigation concluded they not only lacked sound judgment but did so to accrue court overtime compensation. An audit of two traffic stops involving the officers revealed the scheme, and the chief handed down punishment.

"Twenty, 30, 45-day suspensions are heavy suspensions," Houston Police Chief Charles McClelland said.

The police union attorney for the officers called listing multiple officers as witnesses on tickets a normal practice and said the allegations were much ado about nothing. He said the officers couldn't do anything to change the chief's perception, so they accepted their punishment.

"I think they're hardworking guys," defense attorney Harold Landreneau said.

Landreneau knows the officers well from court and their reputation as high ticket writers. He can't help but think the city is missing them.

"I know they're out there writing all the time and the usual spots that I see them, I haven't seen them lately so I'm sure the numbers have gone down for the city," he said.

The shortest suspension of 20 days is up next week. The longest, 45 days for the sergeant, is up October 20. The records don't say how many tickets the officers wrote using each other as witnesses or much they earned in overtime pay from them.

It's important to note the department still thinks the tickets were valid.

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HPD: Stabbing suspect shot, killed by officers

  Crystal KobzaHOUSTON (KTRK) -- Houston police shot and killed a man that they say stabbed three people during a family gathering overnight.

The family was having a party before a planned wedding this weekend. Now we are learning more about what happened before that shooting.

Three people were rushed to the hospital after being stabbed in the street on Nagle near Leeland overnight. Two of the stabbing victims are related to the deceased suspect. One was his brother and the other was his father. No information has been released on the third victim.

"A little while later the cops showed up and I was looking out my window and I heard like two gunshots," said one witness.

A weekend meant for celebrating turned to tragedy for family and friends who gathered here in this town home complex near downtown for a party.

"I heard the shots. I was right here halfway when I heard the shots," said Vincent Zamarron.

Witnesses tell us they heard commotion outside then several gunshots.

"The ruckus out there, it was chaotic. There was a lot of people coming up and down the streets," Zamarron said.

Police say they received several 911 calls moments after the suspect stabbed three people. When officers arrived on scene, they ordered the man to drop his knife. Instead of obeying the order, they say the suspect charged at them.

"One of the officers, in fear for his safety and that of his partner, discharged his duty weapon, striking the suspect," said HPD spokesperson Kese Smith. "The suspect then continued to charge aggressively towards the officers. The second officer then discharged his duty weapon, striking the suspect who was pronounced dead on the scene."

Vincent Zamarron tells us the officers prompt response only saved others from the suspect, who also appeared to be carrying a 2x4.

"To me, when he showed up I think he just saved a lot of stuff from happening, 'cause it was really bad," he said.

Others in the area say they moved to this neighborhood because they wanted to safe place to live.

"When I moved back here I wanted to live in an area with a low crime rate, but obviously that's not true. It can happen anywhere," said Latrice Sturges.

The identity of the 26-year-old victim shot and killed by police has not been released yet. We do know that he is from California. An autopsy is expected to be performed sometime later Friday.

Police say the two officers involved in the shooting are now on administrative leave as is standard protocol.

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Garden rededicated in honor of fallen officers

  By Crystal KobzaHOUSTON (KTRK) -- In southwest Houston new crosses and new plaques now honor the memory of two fallen Houston police officers. The memorial garden at the southwest substation was re-dedicated for those fallen officers Thursday morning.

The memorial garden is to honor and remember Officer James Charles Boswell and Officer Guy Patrick Gaddis. Both of the men were only in their 20s when they died in the line of duty in Houston.

Officer Boswell, at the age of 29, in 1989 was shot by a man who claimed to be a DEA informant. Officer Gaddis was 24 years old in 1994 when he was shot in his own patrol car while transporting two handcuffed prisoners.

HPD Captain Wyatt Martin says this memorial garden has new life, thanks to the community. He added that many of the men who are still on the force today remember these two fallen officers. Some of them actually attended the police academy together some 20 years ago.

"Just having them here, I think lets the officers know that what they are doing means something to someone, not only to their co-workers, but with what the community did for us here at the station, it lets them know people actually care," Captain Martin said.

The memorial garden, along with the rest of the grounds at the southwest division police substation, were cleaned up, thanks to a keep Houston beautiful community donation. Part of the effort was to clean up the gardens, and refurbish the plaques and two memorial crosses.

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Galveston to have lifeguards certified as officers next year

  GALVESTON, TX (KTRK) -- Officials from Galveston Island's Park Board say armed lifeguards certified as police officers will be patrolling the beaches next fiscal year.

The statement comes after two city council members say they're against using $126,000 towards the program.

According to the Galveston County Daily News, the funds come from tax revenues from hotel rooms and profits from conventions.

Eight of Galveston's 100 lifeguards became certified police officers last February. Their duties are to enforce ordinances.

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Woman accused of assaulting Santa Fe officers

  SANTA FE, TX (KTRK) -- A woman is accused of assaulting a pair of Santa Fe police officers as they tried to arrest for another crime.

On Monday, police were called to a home in the 5800 block of FM 646 S. When officers got there, they found two female victims who claimed they were assaulted by their roommate, Amber Garen.

Garen was spotted in a nearby yard, but fled as officers approached. After a chase, officers were attempted to take her into custody, but they say Garen fought back, kicking, punching and even biting the officers.

Garen, 22, was charged with assault on a public servant, evading arrest and assault causing bodily injury. She is being held at the Galveston County Jail on $12,500 bond.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
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Officers find 72 pounds of pot in NE Houston home

Three suspects were arrested Tuesday night on charges of possession of marijuana between 50 and 2,000 pounds after officers allegedly discovered 72 pounds of marijuana with a street value of about $100,000 and more than $1,600 in cash.

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Harris County reserve deputies have arrested three men after reportedly finding large quantities of narcotics at an apartment where they were trying to serve a felony warrant.

John Smith, Davion Richards and Bailey Lang were each charged with possession of marijuana between 50 and 2,000 pounds, according to Harris County. Another man, Dechone Godfrey, was arrested on several outstanding traffic warrants from the Houston Police Department.

Authorities say they were trying to serve a felony warrant Tuesday night on a fifth man at a home in the 7700 block of Sterlingshire in northeast Houston. That man, whose name is being withheld pending his capture, is wanted on a charge of assault on a family member.

When deputies arrived at the house, they say two people in the driveway ran inside and locked the door. Those two eventually complied with officers' demand to let them in several minutes later.

Once deputies entered the house, they found two weapons and several large bundles of marijuana. In all, officers allegedly discovered 72 pounds of marijuana with a street value of about $100,000 was seized, along with over $1,600 in cash.

The suspects were then arrested.

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Officers go to great heights for charity

An iWitness viewer caught this photo of the officers sitting on the roof and submitted it through iwitness.abc13.com.

  GALVESTON, TX (KTRK) -- The Galveston Police Department and Shipley Do-Nuts are teaming up for a Law Enforcement Torch Run event to raise money for Special Olympics Texas.

Officers sat on the roof of Shipley's Donuts at 5401 Broadway between the hours of 7am and 11am on Thursday. The officers collected donations and had a goal of $400 apiece before they could come down from the roof. All proceeds go to the Special Olympics Texas.

Special Olympics is an international organization that changes lives by promoting understanding, acceptance, and inclusion of children and adults with intellectual disabilities. The Law Enforcement Torch Run is an event in which law enforcement agencies from around the state participate in an actual running event to carry the "Flame of Hope" to the Opening Ceremonies of the Special Olympics Texas Summer Games in Arlington.

The Galveston Police Department has a history of promoting awareness and raising funds for the Special Olympics Texas.

For more information on Special Olympics Texas and the Law Enforcement Torch run go to http://www.sotx.org/. You can also donate by visiting http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/michael-gray-4/galvestonpolice.

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HPD radios center of some officers' concerns

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Communication is critical for Houston police officers while they are on the job. But some say they're having a tough time staying in contact because of aging police radios. In some cases, they've had to resort to their own cell phones to stay in touch.

Members of the command staff at HPD headquarters say they are on top of it. This is all happening in the Clear Lake area of southeast Houston. Officers working the streets there say it's become a matter of safety.

In law enforcement, communication is critical and patrol officers will be the first to tell you having equipment that works is essential.

But Eyewitness News got to listen to police radio transmission from officers working the beat in the Clear Lake area of southeast Houston, and it was barely audible. A source who works patrol in that police district texted us that problems with the department's aging handheld radios are so bad, officers are using their personal cell phones.

"It's bad! There's no new radios and no parts for the old Motorolas we have. The city can't even buy parts if they wanted to! There's dead areas all over the city where handheld radios don't work," the text sent to Eyewitness News read.

"I pray to God that we don't have an officer hurt because of radios," said Ray Hunt with the Houston Police Officers' Union.

But a fix is right around the corner. New radios will slowly be phased in. The city is in Year 3 of a five-year plan to replace the outdated fire and police radio system with a state-of-the-art brand new one at a cost of more than $100 million.

"If we did not have this new system coming online soon, it would be a very, very serious situation," Houston City Council Member Mike Sullivan said.

Sullivan, whose district includes the Clear Lake area, says the first radios will be ready for use next year, starting with the fire department. While HPD admitted there are dead zones, a department spokesperson told us "the level of communication is not compromising officer safety. There are multiple avenues for officers to communicate."

"We need these radios as quickly as possible, and the lack of communication is a safety hazard for police officers on the streets, no doubt about it," Hunt said.

The current radio system is more than 30 years old. Hunt says he's heard similar concerns from officers before who work in other districts.

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HPD chief testifies in fired officer's trial

HOUSTON -- Houston's top cop took the stand Tuesday to talk about the controversial beating and arrest of teen burglary suspect, Chad Holley, two years ago.

Former officer Andrew Blomberg is accused of misdemeanor official oppression. On Tuesday, Houston Police Chief Charles McClelland talked about what happened during that videotaped arrest.

The police chief told the jury when he saw that video, it appeared to him the suspect had already surrendered before officers began kicking him repeatedly. But defense lawyers say the tape doesn't tell the whole story.

You could see Blomberg listening closely as his former boss, Chief McClelland, analyzed this controversial video before the jury.

"Former officer Blomberg acted inappropriately against policy, training and in violation of state law," Chief McClelland said.

The police chief and investigators identified Blomberg as the officer you see in the video running toward the burglary suspect, who was then 15-year-old Chad Holley.

McClelland pointed out Blomberg never had his gun drawn as he grabbed the fence and began stomping Holley a few times before running off.

"Officers have special training, and they are taught to constantly assess and reassess. And if you can't do that, then you are not cut out to do this type of work," Chief McClelland said.

He told the jury Blomberg violated safety protocol.

Blomberg has told the jury he's not guilty of the official oppression charges he's facing.

His defense lawyer, Dick Deguerin, grilled the police chief on a legal issue, where the Supreme Court determined reasonable use of force must be judged from the perspective of the officer on the scene, not from 20/20 hindsight.

We asked the chief about the issue moments after he testified.

"I'm an experienced police officer, have more experience than Blomberg, been on the streets longer than Blomberg, so I think that I'm in a good position to certainly make a judgment call on a reasonable officer standard," Chief McClelland said.

Blomberg's defense team also called its witnesses on Tuesday afternoon. They included officers of the gang task force unit who were present during the time of Holley's beating arrest.

Blomberg's charged with a Class A misdemeanor. If convicted, he faces up to one year in jail or a $4,000 fine. His defense team will continue calling its witnesses beginning Wednesday morning.

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Two off-duty officers involved in serious wreck

  PEARLAND, TX (KTRK) -- Two off-duty Houston police officers were involved in a serious accident in Pearland Friday morning.

According to Pearland police, at approximately 7:25am, a Chevy Trailblazer was traveling eastbound on John Lizer when, according to witnesses, the vehicle ran a red light and struck a white Ford truck that was heading northbound at the Pearland Parkway. The impact flipped the northbound truck and caused the Trailblazer to spin in the intersection, according to police.

Authorities said a child inside the Trailblazer was taken to Texas Children's Hospital with minor injuries.

The truck was occupied by an off-duty HPD officer. During the accident, a third vehicle occupied by another HPD officer was also struck and sustained minor body damage.

Authorities said the off-duty officers were not hurt.

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Suspect in officer's death had been deported twice

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- We have new information about a man accused of hitting and killing a Houston police officer over the weekend.

Not only is the suspect an undocumented immigrant, but federal authorities say he's been deported twice. Police say Johoan Rodriguez crashed his car through a police barricade at the North Loop and Yale on Sunday morning, killing HPD Officer Kevin Will. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement officials say Rodriguez is from Mexico and had been deported in December of 2005 and January of 2006. Rodriguez remains in a Harris County jail, charged with intoxication manslaughter of a peace officer, felony evading arrest and possession of a controlled substance. He has now been placed on an immigration detainer. Visitation, funeral scheduled for fallen officer A visitation for friends and family will be held at the Klein Funeral Home, 16131 Champion Forest Drive, from 11am to 9pm Wednesday. Funeral services will be held at Champion Forest Baptist Church, 15555 Stuebner-Airline Road, at 10am on Thursday to be followed by a private burial service.
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Help for fallen officer's family

The 100 Club announced that donations are being accepted to its "Survivor's Fund," which provides benefits to the dependents of peace officers and firefighters who are killed in the line of duty.

Officer Kevin Will, 38, died in the line of duty on Sunday morning, May 29, 2011, while working a hit-and-run motorcycle accident on 610 North Loop near Yale. A $10,000 check will be given to Officer Will's family to assist with any needs they may have. Additional financial support for the family will be provided, after a review is made by the Club, to include current financial and children's educational needs.

If you wish to help, contributions may be made at www.the100club.org, or mailed to 100 Club Survivor's Fund, 5555 San Felipe Street, Ste 520, Houston TX 77056-2733. One-hundred percent of "Survivor's Fund" donations go to the dependents of law enforcement officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty.

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Suspect in officer's death appears in court

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- The illegal immigrant accused of killing a Houston police officer in an alleged drunk driving accident made his first court appearance today. The man's defense attorney and prosecutors are painting two very different portraits of him.

Johoan Rodriguez's court appearance comes just one day ahead of HPD Officer Kevin Will's funeral. The officer died Sunday when Rodriguez's vehicle plowed through a police barrier and struck him. Rodriguez, 26, walked into court Wednesday, his face still showing injuries from the crash. The state said Rodriguez went around a police barricade Sunday morning and slammed into Officer Will. Court documents say the officer was investigating an earlier accident and that he yelled to an accident witness to get out of the way just before the officer was struck. Prosecutors say the officer was dragged for a long distance before Rodriguez came to a stop. Court documents show Rodriguez's blood alcohol content was three times the legal limit and he had cocaine in his pocket. Prosecutors say Rodriguez, who has twice been deported after being in the U.S. illegally, is also an admitted member of the street gang MS 13. Rodriguez's attorney though disputes that claim, saying he is not in a gang. He says his client has been in the U.S. since he was six years old and attended Sam Houston High School. His attorney also says he has no criminal record. Officer Will's colleagues showed up to court today. They say it has been a tough time for them. "It wasn't any easier today than it was the other night. It's been a hard process, it was a hard scene to go up and work. It's difficult to see your friend out there like that," said HPD Officer Don Egdorf. "He did have beer in the car, suggesting that he purchased it from some place, possibly earlier in the night. So if there was a convenience store that recognized him, if he'd been at a house party, if there was a bartender who had seen him or a bouncer who had worked the door, anybody like that, we'd very much like to hear what they have to say," said Harris County Assistant District Attorney Catherine Evans. Rodriguez's mother was visibly emotional as she left the courthouse today, even screaming and yelling out loud. His mother and stepfather and a few other family members showed up today. Rodriguez was given no bond and the judge ordered him not to have contact with anyone except his attorney. Rodriguez remains in a Harris County jail, charged with intoxication manslaughter of a peace officer, felony evading arrest and possession of a controlled substance. He has been placed on an immigration detainer. He faces 5 to 99 years or life in prison. Visitation, funeral scheduled for fallen officer A visitation for friends and family will be held at the Klein Funeral Home, 16131 Champion Forest Drive, from 11am to 9pm today. Funeral services will be held at Champion Forest Baptist Church, 15555 Stuebner-Airline Road, at 10am on Thursday to be followed by a private burial service.
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Help for fallen officer's family

The 100 Club announced that donations are being accepted to its "Survivor's Fund," which provides benefits to the dependents of peace officers and firefighters who are killed in the line of duty.

Officer Kevin Will, 38, died in the line of duty on Sunday morning, May 29, 2011, while working a hit-and-run motorcycle accident on 610 North Loop near Yale. A $10,000 check will be given to Officer Will's family to assist with any needs they may have. Additional financial support for the family will be provided, after a review is made by the Club, to include current financial and children's educational needs.

If you wish to help, contributions may be made at www.the100club.org, or mailed to 100 Club Survivor's Fund, 5555 San Felipe Street, Ste 520, Houston TX 77056-2733. One-hundred percent of "Survivor's Fund" donations go to the dependents of law enforcement officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty.

(Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
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HPD honors fallen officers

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- The Houston Police Department on Friday honored those officers who have been killed in the line of duty.

Police Chief Charles McClelland and Mayor Annise Parker joined other HPD officers for a service at the Houston Police Officers' Memorial. It included the playing of taps and a 21-gun salute. (Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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HPD identifies gunman who shot 2 officers

The deceased gunman who shot two Houston police officers downtown on Saturday has been identified as 20-year-old Jesse Brown

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- The deceased gunman who shot two Houston police officers downtown on Saturday has been identified as an assault suspect who was wanted for a triple shooting in California, officials said.

Jesse Brown, 20, had a Georgia driver's license that was issued in 2009 with an address in Marietta, Georgia.

Investigators learned that Brown has family there and in San Francisco, which is where he was wanted on an oustanding assault warrant.

. According to police, Brown was wanted for a triple shooting in San Francisco County that happened on Halloween in 2010. He was living there at the time, officials said.

Brown was apparently headed back to Georgia. He had a bus ticket to Marietta, officials said. He made it to the bus station, which is when things erupted.

The bag Brown was carrying had two semi-automatic weapons in it. Investigators said he was planning on carrying the bag onto the bus.

The first shooting happened around 5pm Saturday at the Greyhound bus station on Main St. in downtown Houston. That's where police said a security guard saw a weapon and called an off-duty officer over to detain Brown.

He would not cooperate, so the officer -- identified Saturday as Ofc. Fernando Meza -- shot him with a TASER, police said. Brown returned fire, hitting Meza in the hand and fleeing, leaving the gun behind.

He did not make it far before on-duty responding officers caught up to him. Brown drew another weapon and exchanged gunfire with two officers in a nearby McDonald's parking lot, officials said.

Ofc. Timothy Moore was identified Saturday as the second shooting victim. He was struck in the leg.

HPD clarified on Sunday that another officer was involved in the second shooting, but was not hit. A department spokesperson said Ofc. C.C. Thompson fired shots back at Brown while they were in the parking lot, but it was unknown if he was struck.

After this shootout, Brown kept running. He exchanged gunfire a third time -- this time with Ofc. Brandon Smith -- about a block or two away from the Amegy Bank parking garage. Smith was not injured.

A SWAT standoff ensued in the parking garage on Pierce at Fannin. While approaching the fourth floor of the parking garage, SWAT officers found Brown in the stairwell of the fourth floor. He was dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, officials said.

The gun police found on him was stolen, they said. Investigators added that the gun was involved in another Houston case. HPD is still analyzing the first gun, which was left at Greyhound.

Both of the wounded officers were out of the hospital and recovering Sunday.

It is unknown why Brown was in Houston. HPD has asked anyone with information about Brown's whereabouts while he was in the Houston area to call HPD Homicide.

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Nearly 200 officers could lose jobs

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- It's not a rumor anymore. Big cuts are more than likely coming for the Houston Police Department. There's not enough money, so cops may have to go. Hundreds of civilian employees will also probably lose their jobs.

It's important to note that nothing is final until the mayor says it is, but Houston Police Chief Charles McClelland did submit his proposal to Mayor Annise Parker. In order to meet those budget goals, a significant number of HPD employees -- both police officers and civilians -- would be laid off if he had to implement that plan today.

Chief McClelland is recommending that 181 police officers and 445 civilian employees be laid off. The civilian employees would include those working in the jail. Officers with the least seniority would be cut first.

The department would have to give those employees a minimum of 45 days notice. Since the budget has to be passed before June 30, pink slips could be handed out in just a few weeks.

Chief McClelland calls his proposal a worst case scenario, and says there is still time to save these jobs.

McClelland said, "The mayor has told me she's committed to doing everything that she can to reprogram money back into HPD to make sure that that doesn't happen. There's a lot of things that could happen outside of the mayor's control. She may not be able to guarantee 100 percent, but she has certainly committed to me, 'Look, I don't want to do this. I'm going to do everything I can to make sure that this does not happen.' And I believe that."

"I personally don't see how we can lose any classified officers and continue to deliver the services to the citizens of Houston that they expect," said Houston Police Officer's Union President Gary Blankinship.

Chief McClelland says he would need $17 million from the city of Houston in order to save those jobs. The fight to save these jobs will not be an easy one. HPD's operating budget is somewhere near $685 million -- 95 percent of that goes towards salaries.

There are two new cadet classes slated for the budget for next year, and those cadets will not be cut. One class is scheduled to start in May.

Firefighters could lose jobs too Major budget cuts could also hit the Houston Fire Department hard. A source told us that roughly 200 firefighters are facing job cuts due to budget constraints. Jeff Caynon, president of the Houston Professional Firefighters Association, said those numbers are accurate and worries what those layoffs would mean. "When we have structure fires with fatalities, it's always almost the very, very young or the very, very old and we're making a decision here that essentially says the city of Houston is okay with the very, very young and very, very old dying in house fires," Caynon said. Stay with Eyewitness News and abc13.com for the latest on this story. (Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) 

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