Officer Elston Morris Howard, 24, was killed while on duty in the Vice Division of the Houston Police Department. On the night of July 19, 1988, Howard was inside the Empire Adult Bookstore on Richmond Avenue issuing citations for city ordinance violations when Robert Mitchell Jennings entered intending to commit a robbery. Jesse Jennings shot Howard three times at close range; when Howard tried to flee he was shot once more in the head while lying on the floor. Howard was taken to Ben Taub Hospital and pronounced dead early on July 20, 1988.

The shooter, who had a prior robbery conviction and had been paroled after serving ten years of a 30-year sentence, was later arrested after seeking treatment for a gunshot wound to his hand. He was charged with capital murder. The killing drew widespread attention in Houston; thousands attended Howard’s funeral and he left behind parents, siblings, a daughter and a fiancée. The case also resulted in the arrest and conviction of an accomplice, who received a 55-year sentence.

Anyone who knew Officer Howard or has information about the case is encouraged to share what they remember.