Update: Name of Wounded Officer Released in Investigation at 9338 East Ave. O

March 6, 2009 - Houston police have released the name of an HPD undercover narcotics officer wounded during the execution of a felony warrant at 9338 East Avenue O about 9:05 p.m. on Thursday (March 5).

Senior Police Officer R.L. Salter, a 27-year veteran of the police department, suffered a gunshot wound to the face and is at Ben Taub General Hospital.  Citing privacy concerns during this very difficult time, the officer’s family asks no information be released on his condition.  The family also asks the media respect its privacy by not approaching family members for interviews.

The identity of the male suspect who shot the officer is being withheld pending notification to family members by the Harris County Medical Examiner’s Office.

HPD Homicide Division Sergeants O. Chandler, J. Rubio and Officer K. Carr reported:

Narcotics officers were executing a felony warrant and shouting they were police officers as they made forcible entry into the home.  Officer Salter stepped into the doorway and was immediately shot once in the face.  Three other officers returned fire, fatally striking the suspect.  Officer Salter was taken to Ben Taub General Hospital where he remains a no-information patient at the family’s request.

The three narcotics officers who discharged their weapons were M.D. Sinegal, sworn in as an officer in August 1998; C.R. Cantu, sworn-in in November 1996 and Senior Officer B.K. McCord, sworn-in in December 1995.

As is customary in officer-involved shooting incidents in the city limits, the incident is being investigated by the HPD Homicide and Internal Affairs Divisions as well as the Harris County District Attorney’s Office.

KJS/JFC/KBG/BDW
Inc #032644409

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