Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Cuong Trinh was shot and killed while off duty when he was identified as a police officer during a robbery at 2716 Westerland Drive. He was working at a store owned by his parents when an armed suspect jumped over the counter and took money out of the cash register. He then demanded Officer Trinh's wallet. When he opened the wallet he saw Officer Trinh's badge and police identification. Officer Trinh then told the man to leave or he would be arrested. The suspect responded by shooting Officer Trinh in the head, killing him. The shooter was arrested and sentenced to death. The getaway driver was also apprehended. Officer Trinh was a U.S. Navy veteran and had served with the Houston Police Department for 2-1/2 years. He is survived by his fiancee, parents, and brother. His fiancee and brother also went on to serve as police officers.
Survivors
He is survived by his fiancee, parents, and brother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-258A1049- 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 Trinh gave the Houston Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Houston community, and 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
Cuong Huy "Tony" Trinh served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Police Officer Cuong Huy "Tony" Trinh 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 Houston Police Department, 84 of 117 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 71.8% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Cuong Huy "Tony" Trinh's cause is highlighted.
How Cuong Huy "Tony" Trinh Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to death
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Cuong Huy "Tony" Trinh is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Cuong Huy "Tony" Trinh was killed by handgun; 9 mm.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
116 officers from Houston Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
