Joe Mason Westbrook

Harris County Sheriff's Office — Houston, TX

Felonious

End of Watch July 1, 1979

Age 43

The Vigil Panel 121 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 55

Incident

Reserve Deputy Sheriff Joe Westbrook was shot execution-style while moonlighting as a security guard at a local restaurant at 2120 W 18th Street. Two men entered the restaurant and one of the men began talking to the deputy. The second man walked behind Deputy Westbrook, produced a handgun, and shot him in the back of the head without warning. The suspect then shot him three more times after he fell to the ground. The man also shot the cook as he ran towards the manager's office. The manager, hearing the gunshots, grabbed his own gun and shot the suspect as he came into the office, killing him. The second suspect fled the scene but was later arrested and executed for Reserve Deputy Westbrook's murder.

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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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Reserve Deputy Sheriff Westbrook served with the Harris County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Houston community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Reserve Deputy Sheriff Westbrook.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Harris County Sheriff's Office

Location Houston, TX

Platform Identity hcso.harris.tx.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch July 1, 1979

Age 43

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun

Offender One shot and killed; One executed

Reserve Deputy Sheriff Joe Mason Westbrook 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 Harris County Sheriff's Office, 23 of 56 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 41.1% of this agency's fallen.

Harris County Sheriff's Office

of 56 officers

41.1% Felonious

TX — Statewide

1,463

of 2,421 officers

60.4% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious