Houston police hold emotional memorial ceremony for fallen father-of-four Sgt. Sean Rios, 47, who was killed in crossfire of 'road rage incident' as two of his teenage sons act as pallbearers
A veteran Houston police sergeant who was fatally shot last week while trying to intervene during a shootout was remembered Wednesday as a leader who dedicated his life to his family and community.
Family and friends attended a funeral service for Sean Rios, 47, at a Houston church. He had been a Houston police officer since February 1996.
On November 9, Rios was on his way to work when he encountered an exchange of gunfire in a motel parking lot between two vehicles near Interstate 45 in north Houston.
Witnesses said Rios, who was not in uniform, staggered into the lobby of the Taj Inn & Suites with multiple gunshot wounds and died at about 1:30pm.
Members of the Houston Police Honor Guard await to present honors to Sgt. Sean Rios' family during the memorial service at Grace Church Houston on Wednesday
Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo presents the US flag to Rios' family during the final police honor in Houston on Wednesday
Rios' two teenage sons, Tristan and Luca, are among his pallbearers to carry his casket outside in Houston on Wednesday
Isabella Rios, one of Sean Rios' four children, leads the escort to the hearse for her father's casket in Houston on Wednesday
Rios' casket is wheeled out of Grace Church Houston on Wednesday during the memorial service
Sergeant Sean Rios, 47, (pictured) was gunned down in a motel parking lot on the afternoon of November 9 while driving his black KIA sedan to work on Interstate 45 in north Houston
Police Chief Art Acevedo has said investigators believe Rios saw the shootout and was killed trying to intervene when he was shot.
Houston Police last week released footage of the two suspects accused of shooting dead Rios.
During the funeral service, Acevedo said Rios' decision to try to stop the shootout was an example of his dedication to helping others.
'Let's honor his life by living a life like he lived, one of service and courage and a never quit attitude,' Acevedo said.
Brian Harris, a retired Houston police officer and friend of Rios, recalled the slain sergeant as someone who was welcoming and made others feel at ease.
Memorabilia from Sean Rios' career in the United States Marine Corps are present at his memorial service
Houston Police Academy Cadets pay their respects to fallen HPD Sgt. Sean Rios during a prayer at Grace Church Houston on Wednesday
Houston Police Department Honor Guard perform final police honors for the fallen hero at Grace Church Houston on Wednesday
Two Houston Fire Department ladders are used to lift an American flag during Wednesday's memorial service in Houston
Acevedo, Houston's police chief, walks past Rios' casket and presents the US flag to his family during the memorial service on Wednesday
A US flag hangs from two Houston Fire Department ladders outside Grace Church Houston on Wednesday
Houston Police Department Mounted Patrol performs the Riderless Horse honoring Rios at the memorial on Wednesday
Pallbearers escort Sgt. Sean Rios' casket into the hearse after the memorial service at Grace Church Houston on Wednesday
Members of law enforcement arrive for the memorial service of Sean Rios at Grace Church Houston on Wednesday
Rios was remembered as a man who sacrificed himself for the good of others during his career in law enforcement
Rios' uniform is seen above on display at Grace Church Houston during a memorial service for the fallen officer on Wednesday
'We all love you Sean Rios and we'll see you on the other side,' Harris said.
Robert Soliz, 24, was arrested the day after the shooting and charged with murder in Rios´ death.
Police said they were still looking for a person of interest in the case.
Houston police last week arrested Robert Soliz, 24, (pictured in mug) and charged him with murder
The security footage released by police last week shows Soliz, wearing a white t-shirt, with a second man standing outside two pickup trucks in what appears to be a parking lot.
The second male is Hispanic, has arm tattoos, a beard and mustache and is wearing a black t-shirt.
He is seen speaking with Soliz and driving a black pickup truck, police said.
Acevedo said Soliz had been arrested without incident at about 3:15pm last Tuesday by officers who performed a traffic stop on the suspect.
The police chief said a manhunt was underway for the second man who he described as an 'extreme person of interest' in the officer's death.
'That person is a person of extreme interest in the murder of Sgt. Sean Rios. To that individual: We're coming for ya, we're going to find ya, so you might as well turn yourself in,' Acevedo said.
'The video we're going to show this community is clear. The person, when they see themselves, will know who they are, but they're going to know that other people will know who this person is. We need this person in custody.'
Houston police asked anyone with information to contact the authorities.
Investigators also released new details Tuesday of the circumstances leading up to Rios' death.
The police chief said investigators had received reports of gunshots between a white pickup truck and a blue Mercedes not long before Rios was shot.
The blue Mercedes matches the description of the vehicle belonging to Soliz, he said.
Witnesses said two Hispanic males fled the scene, one in the blue Mercedes and the other in a black Chevy pickup truck matching the one seen in the police surveillance video with the second suspect, he said.
'And so we believe there's a high probability that Sgt. Rios saw that incident between those two vehicles and, sadly, ended up losing his life in trying to intervene,' Acevedo said.
Houston Police released footage (above) of the two suspects accused of shooting dead Rios, a 25-year veteran cop and father of four, at a press conference last Tuesday
The security footage shows Soliz, wearing a white t-shirt, with a second man standing outside two pickup trucks in what appears to be a parking lot
The second suspect (above), who has not been named, is also wanted for Rios' murder. He remains on the run two days on from the killing with Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo warning him 'we're coming for ya'
The second male is Hispanic, has arm tattoos, a beard and mustache and is wearing a black t-shirt. He is seen speaking with Soliz and driving a black pickup truck (above), police said
Acevedo said police believe Soliz has been involved in multiple road-rage 'assaults' involving firearms in the Houston area and told the public to contact police if they recognized him.
He said he was 'highly confident' Soliz would also face charges over a separate assault on a member of a community.
Soliz has been booked into Harris County Jail.
Rios was the second Houston officer to be killed in the past four weeks and the fourth since last December.
Sgt. Harold Preston was shot and killed on Octpber 20 while responding to a domestic violence situation.
The 41-year veteran of the department was preparing to retire this year.
Authorities said Elmer Manzano, 51, shot Sgt Preston and Officer Courtney Waller at the Richmond Manor apartments in the 2600 block of Holly Hall while they were responding to a domestic violence incident at the complex.
Sgt Harold Preston (left) was killed, and Officer Courtney Waller (right) was wounded after being shot while they were responding to a domestic violence incident at the complex on October 20
Preston succumbed to his injuries at Memorial Hermann Hospital after he was shot in the head twice and once in the shoulder.
Police also said Preston had a bullet lodged in his spine. He had been engaged to be married.
Waller, who has been at the department for three years, was shot in the arm and is expected to survive.
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