Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Richard Houston was shot and killed while responding to a disturbance in the parking lot of a grocery store at 1500 S Beltline Road.
During the investigation, a man produced a gun and opened fire on Officer Houston at about 1:40 pm. Both Officer Houston and the subject were critically wounded in the exchange of gunfire. Officer Houston was transported to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
The subject survived his wounds. In 2022, he was convicted of capital murder of a police officer and sentenced to life in prison without parole.
Officer Houston had served with the Mesquite Police Department for 21 years. He is survived by his wife, two daughters, and one son. His father had served with the Mesquite Police Department.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, two daughters, and one son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-E1644E7C- 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
21 years. You could have gone home.
Police Officer Houston gave the Mesquite Police Department 21 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Mesquite community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Houston.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Richard Lee Houston, II 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%.
At Mesquite Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Richard Lee Houston, II's cause is highlighted.
How Richard Lee Houston, II Compares
Offender Outcome
Life without parole
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Richard Lee Houston, II is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Richard Lee Houston, II was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Mesquite Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
