HPD Officers to be Honored by State of Texas

June 9, 2009 - The Houston Police Department is proud to announce that the State of Texas will honor three HPD officers who will receive the 2008 State of Texas Law Enforcement Achievement awards, along with 17 other law enforcement officers from across the state in a ceremony in Austin, Texas on June 11.

Senior Police Officer Christopher D. Duncan, sworn in as an officer in December 1992, is assigned to the Homicide Division/Crime Scene Unit and has developed into a highly skilled and widely respected investigator. In 2000, Officer Duncan received Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Education (TCLEOSE) certification in providing training in areas of crime scene photography, DNA evidence handling, and forensic anthropology, with presentations at law enforcement seminars at the regional and national level. In 2001, Officer Duncan achieved certification in forensic photography by the International Associate for Identification and in 2003, he graduated from the National Forensic Academy at the University of Tennessee, and has authored articles in several forensic journal publications.

Officer Christopher M. Zamora, sworn in as an officer in July 2006, is assigned to the Central Patrol Division as a night-shift patrol officer. In 2007, Officer Zamora, as a one-man-unit, captured 41 felony suspects, many of whom were armed, in possession of narcotics, stolen vehicles, and other stolen property from robberies. As a two-man- unit, along with his partner, Officer Zamora netted 57 felony arrests. Officer Zamora's devotion to duty in decreasing crime, as well as his quick response to citizens' calls, reflects his public service to the City of Houston. Officer Christopher M. Sellers, sworn in as an officer in August of 1998, is assigned to the Northeast Patrol Division. In the aftermath of Hurricane Ike, Officer Sellers conducted welfare checks at numerous apartment complexes with his partner. On September 17, 2008, while talking to an apartment complex manager, Officer Sellers heard a child's screams for help. As he responded, Officer Sellers saw a male suspect grab a young boy with one hand and in the other he held a sawed-off shotgun. After an unsuccessful attempt to get the boy to safety, Officer Sellers, in fear of his life and that of the child, drew his duty weapon, fired several times and struck the suspect. The suspect, who had the shotgun pointed at the boy's head, let go of the child and dropped to his knees. As Officer Seller's partner got the boy to safety, Officer Sellers gave repeated commands for the suspect to drop the weapon, which the suspect ignored. Officer Sellers again discharged his duty weapon and fatally wounded the armed suspect. It was later determined the suspect was a known narcotics user and had threatened neighborhood children for some time. Officer Sellers' courageous actions saved the life of the child and made the neighborhood safer.

The ceremony honoring these three Houston police officers will take place on Thursday, June 11, 1100 Congress Avenue in Austin, Texas, State Capitol Building, Extension Auditorium, Room E-1.004. There will be a reception following the ceremony.

For more information, please contact Ms. Melissa Saldivar, HPD Public Affairs Division at 713-308-3240.

For additional information, please contact the HPD Public Affairs Division at 713-308-3200 .