Houston Community Honors Late Harris County Deputy Fernando Esqueda

The Houston community is coming together to honor a Harris County deputy who was the victim of a senseless act of violence last week.

On July 10, Fernando Esqueda, 28, was on an undercover mission tracking down a suspect in an alleged assault case. Police believe the suspect, Ronnie Palmer, 44, began shooting at the car Esqueda was driving. He was rushed to LBJ Hospital in a private vehicle, but died a short time later.

A wake was held Thursday night from 5 to 7 p.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Houston’s Second Ward. Community members paid tribute to Esqueda and his family.

A funeral Mass for Esqueda will be held Friday at 10 a.m. at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, located at 1111 St. Joseph Pkwy, Houston TX 77002. Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez will speak at 9 a.m. prior to the funeral.

The services will be streamed live and you can watch them on this page.

Esqueda had worked for the Harris County Sheriff’s Office for five years on the HCSO’s Violent Persons Warrant Task Force. He was engaged and was scheduled to marry in September.

Palmer and Dremone Francis, 26, were both charged with capital murder for their roles in the deputy’s killing.