Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Reuben B. DeLeon and another officer were off duty at an apartment reserved for officers who worked security for the complex. Officers on patrol in the area also used the apartment to complete paperwork. Someone knocked on the door. When Officer DeLeon opened the door he was shot several times and was killed. The other off duty officer and witnesses saw two men fleeing the scene.
Two suspects were later arrested. Investigators determined that the suspects were gang members and knew that police officers used the apartment. The suspects were participating in a gang initiation.
The suspect who shot Officer DeLeon was convicted of capital murder and sentenced to life in prison.
Officer DeLeon was a U.S Marine Corps veteran and served with the Houston Police Department for eight months. He was survived by his wife and three children. He was buried in the Greenlawn Memorial Cemetery in Rosenberg in Fort Bend County.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-861D7311- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Reuben. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
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.
Officer DeLeon gave the Houston Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Houston 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
Reuben Becerra DeLeon, Jr. served in the Marine Corps (1993â1994) before joining law enforcement.
Officer Reuben Becerra DeLeon, Jr. 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. Reuben Becerra DeLeon, Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Reuben Becerra DeLeon, Jr. Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Reuben Becerra DeLeon, Jr. is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Reuben Becerra DeLeon, Jr. was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
116 officers from Houston Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
