HOUSTON – A Houston police officer who was seriously injured in what was described as a “freak accident” two years ago died early Thursday.
Senior Officer Jerry Flores, who was assigned to the Houston Police Department’s gang division fell from a golf cart in April 2018 and hit his head on concrete. He was left critically injured and was comatose for more than a week.
Joe Gamaldi, president of the Houston Police Officers' Union, announced Flores' death in a tweet Thursday morning.
“RIP brother you are a legend and will be missed by all,” Gamaldi wrote in the tweet.
With his incredible family’s permission, I am sad to report our dear friend and retired HPD Officer Jerry Flores passed away this morning. Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.
— Joe Gamaldi (@JoeGamaldi) October 1, 2020
RIP brother you are a legend and will be missed by all.
Houston police Chief Art Acevedo also remembered Flores in a tweet.
“Today we lost Senior Police Officer Jerry Flores, a kind, generous man who never met a stranger & did so much for so many,” Acevedo wrote in the tweet.
Today we lost Senior Police Officer Jerry Flores, a kind, generous man who never met a stranger & did so much for so many. Jerry’s sister Lind, & his extended family loved him deeply & cared for him until his final breath. @houstonpolice is lifting the Flores family in prayer. https://t.co/FIrRgLuxgs
— Chief Art Acevedo (@ArtAcevedo) October 1, 2020
Flores had worked for HPD for nearly 30 years.
Ray Hunt said that the loss has been felt by the entire community. Hunt said that he first met Officer Flores when he joined HPD more than two decades ago.
“I will always remember his smile, always remember his great sense of humor and a blessing he was part of my life,” said Hunt.
He said that for two and a half years he has watched as his friend fought to recover from the critical injury.
“It’s been difficult. He hasn’t been able to talk this entire time but definitely understood what you were saying and would give a chuckle every now of then,” he said.
Hunt said while the community and friends and family continue to grieve, he takes comfort in the fact that he believes that Flores is in a better place.
“It’s been a difficult day for us, a difficult morning but a beautiful sunny day and I know Jerry is smiling from above,” said Hunt.
Flores was part of a popular Houston ‘rat pack’ of friends that included the late sports acnhor, Bob Allen; Jeff McShan, former broadcaster; and Dennis Laviage, of C&D Scrap Metal “$2 bill” fame.
Thursday, Laviage said that Flores was a friend to everyone.
“He wanted to take a picture of me and another guy, (he said) you know how I know this guy? I arrested him,” Laviage recounted.
Funeral arrangements were pending Thursday afternoon.
Among Flores’ accomplishments was earning a Houston Astros World Series Ring, as a pivotal member of their security team.
Jerry Flores was 56.