HOUSTON — Harris County Sheriff's deputy Fernando Esqueda will be laid to rest on Friday, July 19, Sheriff Ed Gonzalez announced.
Esqueda, 29, was killed in what the sheriff called an ambush early Thursday morning while searching for a man accused of attacking a pizza store employee.
"He was dedicated to protecting and serving the residents of Harris County," Gonzalez said Thursday. "We pray with deputy Esqueda's family, friends, and colleagues during this incredibly difficult time. Deputy Esqueda's commitment to duty and his sacrifice will always be remembered."
Saturday, Gonzalez posted on Facebook the public funeral details for deputy Esqueda.
A viewing will be held on Thursday, July 18 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, located at 2405 Navigation Boulevard. Following the viewing, a rosary will be held from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
On Friday, July 19, a funeral mass will be held at 10 a.m. at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, located at 1111 St. Joseph Parkway.
Monday morning, Esqueda's body was escorted to a funeral home from the medical examiner's office.
Esqueda was a five-year veteran of the sheriff’s office. He was also a member of HCSO's Violent Person Task Force which hunts down child rapists, homicide suspects, and other violent offenders.
Arrest made in Esqueda's killing
Thursday night, a man was arrested after a massive manhunt. Gonzalez said Ronnie Palmer was charged with capital murder in Esqueda's death.
The sheriff said the string of events began just after 10 p.m. Wednesday, July 10 when deputies received a call about an aggravated assault at a Little Caesars Pizza on Wallisville Road.
At the time, deputies responded along with investigators, who were out working a 12-hour shift to help with post-storm patrols. The sheriff said that an employee at the pizza place had been attacked after a customer had come and was upset that his order was incorrect.
The sheriff said the attacker pistol-whipped the employee before leaving.
However, the employee identified the attacker’s vehicle by make, model, and license plate. Deputies then put a call out and all other detectives working started to look for the suspect vehicle.
At some point, Esqueda discovered the vehicle, but not Palmer. As he was calling it in, Gonzalez said the deputy was ambushed.
Other detectives went to the location and found Esqueda's undercover vehicle riddled with bullet holes, the sheriff said. The deputy had been shot multiple times.
Esqueda was rushed to the hospital where he was later pronounced dead, the sheriff said.
