46-year-old Officer Richard Houston received a call about a man and wife in a serious domestic dispute in the parking lot of a Mesquite, Texas, grocery store. It was a tense situation involving the man's wife and another woman. When Officer Houston attempted to talk to the man, police reports say the suspect fatally shot Houston, and then aimed the gun on himself, but survived.
At the memorial for the 21-year police veteran, held at Lakepointe Church, his daughter Shelby, 18, shared remarkable insight about her beloved dad.
According to WFAA-TV, Shelby was recently preparing to share a message of faith at church, when her father texted: "Sometimes it feels very overwhelming," Richard Houston told his daughter. "But I'm here to tell you everything will be OK. You got this. Remember that no matter what, me and your mom got your back. Always and forever."
Growing up as the daughter in a law enforcement family, Shelby was aware of the risks to her dad, "But my heart always ached for those who don't know Jesus, their actions being a reflection of that," she said in her father's eulogy.
Concerning the man accused of taking her father's life, "I can't get any part of my heart to hate him," Shelby said. "All that I can find is myself hoping and praying for this man to truly know Jesus." (WFAA-TV)
At the memorial, Mesquite Assistant Police Chief Doug Yates said Officer Houston once spent an entire shift praying after a colleague died of cancer. And Yates said that while clearing out Houston’s squad car after his death, he found Houston’s Bible. “Richard didn’t just go to church — Richard walked with God each day,” Yates said. (Chronicle/AP-Texas)
If you have a moment, you will want to watch this video of the memorial for officer Houston. It is very encouraging and faith-filled.