Houston Police Department

February 26, 2005 -- Charges are pending against a suspect who pointed a gun at two Houston police officers and a group of persons at 1915 Mangum about 12:20 a.m. today (Feb. 26).

The suspect, Joe Fendley Rumfola (w/m, DOB 11-22-76), was arrested by HPD officers with the assistance of an HPD K-9 named Robin. Rumfola is facing two charges of aggravated assault on a police officer. At the time of his arrest, officers recovered the suspect's fully loaded semiautomatic weapon.

HPD Homicide Division Sergeant J.H. Binford and Officer R.A. Swainson reported:

Two uniformed HPD officers, Sergeant O.H. Ortegon and Officer A.R. Ramos Jr., were working an extra job at a park and ride lot at Delmar Stadium during a rodeo barbecue cookoff event. As a bus arrived in the crowded parking lot, the officers heard an argument and disturbance. The officers approached and saw a white male (Rumfola) pointing a gun at a group of persons. The male with the gun was heard hollering, "I will kill you." When Sergeant Ortegon and Officer Ramos called for the male to put the weapon down, the male turned and ran through the crowd with the weapon still in his hand. As the officers chased the suspect across Mangum Road, the suspect fell and then turned and pointed the weapon at the officers. Both officers fired several shots at the suspect, who was not hit and continued to run. The suspect ran about
three-quarters of a mile through a warehouse district. Citizens approached the officers, offering to help and give the officers a ride in a vehicle. The officers got into a vehicle and used their cell phones to call HPD personnel for assistance. The suspect was followed until responding marked patrol units could arrive. With the assistance of an HPD helicopter, the suspect was seen fleeing and hiding in a wooded area. He was finally apprehended by an HPD K-9 (Robin) as he hid under a trailer. His weapon was recovered.

Sergeant Ortegon, assigned to the Narcotics Division, was sworn in as an HPD officer in March of 1985. Officer Ramos is assigned to the Central Patrol Division and was sworn in as an HPD officer in May of 1993.

JFC 2-26-05
Inc #030500705

For additional information, please contact the HPD Public Affairs Division at 713-308-3200.