Corporal Harry Lane Thielepape Jr., 57, was critically wounded and later died on January 26, 2008, in Houston after a shooting during an arrest. He had been detaining a suspect for drug possession and illegal possession of a handgun when the handcuffed man, seated in the back of Thielepape’s patrol car, managed to move his arms to the front. A struggle began when Thielepape opened the back door; the suspect overpowered him, seized one of the officer’s handguns, and shot Thielepape several times. Thielepape returned fire and killed the suspect but never fully regained consciousness and died at a local hospital.

Thielepape had served 12 years with the Harris County Precinct 6 Constable’s Office and logged over 1,400 hours of law enforcement training. His previous work included roles as a private investigator, security officer in Texas and Louisiana, service with the United States Merchant Marines, and a stint with Conroe Independent School District Police before rejoining Precinct 6 in 1996. He is survived by his mother Wanda Williams; sisters Melanie Long, Jerry Hymel, and Joyce Grams; and son Harry Thielepape III, daughter-in-law Crystal Thielepape, and grandchildren Halie and Shy. He was preceded in death by his father Harry Layne Thielepape Sr. and brother Larry Wayne Thielepape.

Does anyone have memories of his service or information about the incident that could add context to what happened that day?