Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Herbert Planer was shot and killed while investigating suspicious activity in an apartment complex parking lot at 5072 Navarro Street. He was working a plainclothes, off-duty security detail when he observed the man attempting to steal a car. Officer Planer shined his vehicle's light onto the stolen car as it drove away, prompting the man to get out of it and flee on foot. As Officer Planer stepped from his vehicle, the man opened fire, shooting him nine times with a .22 caliber pistol. The man, who was wanted for a parole violation, then stole Officer Planer's car and fled. He was arrested a short time later and charged with murder. Officer Planer was a United States Navy veteran and had served with the Houston Police Department for eight years.
Survivors
He was survived by his daughter, father, and three brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-629894EE- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Navy. One record, 2 gates. Herbert is one person.
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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 Planer gave the Houston Police Department 8 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
Herbert N. Planer served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.
Police Officer Herbert N. Planer is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,756 officers honored here.
In TX, 1,460 of 2,421 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.3% of this state's fallen. That is 60.3 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
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. Herbert N. Planer's cause is highlighted.
How Herbert N. Planer Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Herbert N. Planer is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Herbert N. Planer was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Military Service
Herbert N. Planer served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.
Visit Herbert N. Planer’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
116 officers from Houston Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
