Pasadena, Tx. Police Officer Jesse Hamilton

[Tater]

HOUSTON — A man suspected of fatally wounding a Houston-area police officer had been released from jail less than 24 hours earlier for a drunken-driving sentence.

Sergio Robles, 24, was charged with capital murder and aggravated assault for Friday's slaying of Pasadena police officer Jesse Hamilton, who was responding to a domestic disturbance call, the Houston Chronicle reported Saturday. Another officer later shot Robles, seriously injuring him. Memorial Hermann Hospital-Texas Medical Center would not provide information on his status Saturday.

It was the first officer shooting death in 16 years for the Pasadena Police Department.

"The tragedy of losing an officer who sits next to you in roll call or who you went on a call with is akin to losing a family member," said police Chief Mike Thaler, who took over just six weeks ago. "In my estimation, law enforcement is a career where we are very much a family. When one is hurt, we all share in the pain."

Robles had been released from the Harris County Jail on Thursday after serving a sentence for driving while intoxicated. Police said Robles had an altercation with the mother of his child Thursday night. She then took their child and spent the night at Robles' mother's house, where Robles arrived around 5 a.m., according to police.

His mother then called police. Hamilton responded, and while he was there, Robles came to the door and shot him in the head with a handgun, police said. Minutes later, an officer called dispatch to report shots fired and an officer down, according to police.

Another officer then pulled up and saw Robles on the porch near Hamilton's body, police said. Assistant Police Chief Bud Corbet said Robles, with a gun still in his hands, turned toward the officer, who got out of his vehicle and shot Robles.

Pasadena police spokesman Vance Mitchell said Hamilton was a four-year veteran officer and married father of 5-year-old twins.

The Galveston County Daily News reported Saturday that Robles suffers from schizophrenia and had once sued Santa Fe police, claiming two officers used excessive force against him.

The newspaper said Robles had not been taking his medication when he got into a struggle with two police officers on Aug. 21, 2006, on Texas 6 in Santa Fe. Robles was acquitted of a charge of resisting arrest in February. The city of Santa Fe settled Robles' lawsuit for $125,000.

[pafindr]

R.I.P. Officer Hamilton

[lighthouse]

May God be with his family and department.
Sorry for the loss.