Christopher Jerome Sobieski
Incident
Officer Christopher Sobieski was killed when his patrol car exploded after being struck from behind by a drunk driver.
The officer had just finished issuing a summons and was sitting on the shoulder of Highway 290 near Liendo Parkway. A pickup truck driven by the drunk driver slammed into the back of his 1999 Crown Victoria, which caused the vehicle to explode.
The drunk driver was convicted of intoxicated manslaughter and sentenced to 180 days in jail, 10 years probation, and was ordered to keep a sign in his front yard with the words "My drunk driving caused the death of Officer Christopher Sobieski" for 1 year.
Officer Sobieski was a United States Military Police veteran who had served with the Prairie View Police Department for 3 years and had previously served for 1 year with the San Jacinto College District Police Department.
The officer had just finished issuing a summons and was sitting on the shoulder of Highway 290 near Liendo Parkway. A pickup truck driven by the drunk driver slammed into the back of his 1999 Crown Victoria, which caused the vehicle to explode.
Officer Sobieski was a United States Military Police veteran who had served with the Prairie View Police Department for 3 years and had previously served for 1 year with the San Jacinto College District Police Department.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, parents, and sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-2E1CE290- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Police Officer Sobieski gave the Prairie View Police Department 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Prairie View community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Christopher Jerome Sobieski served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Police Officer Christopher Jerome Sobieski is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In TX, 1,463 of 2,421 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.4% of this state's fallen. That is 6.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Christopher Jerome Sobieski's cause is highlighted.
How Christopher Jerome Sobieski Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 180 days
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Christopher Jerome Sobieski is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Christopher Jerome Sobieski was killed by automobile; alcohol involved.