HOUSTON Harris County District Attorney Mike Anderson died late Friday, county officials confirmed Saturday morning.
Belinda Hill, with the DA s Office released the following statement Saturday afternoon:
After a courageous battle against cancer, it is with a heavy heart that we must announce that Harris County District Attorney Mike Anderson passed away. We all have suffered a terrible loss today of a devoted public servant, husband, and father. His sense of justice, his wisdom and support, his easy laugh, and, most of all, his friendship were his gifts to us. He loved this office and the people here serving the citizens of Harris County.
Joe Stinebaker, a spokesman for Harris County Judge Ed Emmett, said officials were informed that the Anderson had died on Friday evening.
Anderson had been undergoing treatment for cancer since the spring. He sent out an email to his staff in May, did not specify the type of cancer he had been diagnosed with.
The Texas District and County Attorneys Association tweeted the following message Saturday morning:
We have just learned that Harris Co DA Mike Anderson passed away. Our prayers are with his wife & kids & the entire Harris Co DA family.
Anderson, a Republican, was sworn in as D.A. in January after defeating Pat Lykos in the 2012 primary.
He spent 17 years as a prosecutor and 12 years as a state district judge before becoming the district attorney.
Houston Mayor Annise Parker released the following statement Saturday morning on Anderson s passing:
My prayers are with the family of Mike Anderson today. He was a well respected public servant. His death is a loss to Harris County.
The Harris County Sheriff s Office released the following statement:
We mourn the death of Harris County District Attorney Mike Anderson, who served the public as prosecutor and judge for decades.
HPD Chief Charles McClelland released the on Anderson s passing: I was saddened to learn of the passing of Mike Anderson, who I have known for more than 25 years. He has contributed so much to the criminal justice system in Harris County and will be sorely missed. The community has lost a true champion for justice.
On behalf of all the men and women of the Houston Police Department, our thoughts and prayers, along with our heartfelt sympathy, go out to Mike s family, colleagues and friends at the Harris County District Attorney s Office.
Stinebaker said Gov. Rick Perry would appoint a replacement for Anderson.
Anderson was a Harris County native, born and raised in Pasadena. He graduated from Pearland High School, Texas Lutheran College and South Texas College of Law.
Anderson is survived by his wife, Devon, children Sam and Brynn, parents J.B. and Carol Anderson, his sister Jan Bailey, her husband Brent and their children.
We want to thank everyone for their prayers, and ask at this time that you respect our privacy, Dr. Brent Bailey, Anderson s brother-in-law, said.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
