http://www.houstonist.com/archives/2006 ... er_kil.php

HPD officer killed after traffic stop



Bad news from southeast Houston yesterday evening: Rodney Johnson, a 12-year veteran of HPD, was apparently killed by a suspect sitting in the back seat of his patrol car. It started just after 5 p.m., when Johnson pulled over a pickup with two people inside; a female passenger fled the scene, but Johnson detained and handcuffed the male driver. Later, Johnson was found at Randolph and Braniff, on the southern edge of Hobby Airport, shot four times through the plastic shield separating the front and rear of the cruiser. The 32-year-old suspect, Juan Leonardo Quintero, was still handcuffed and sitting in the back of the car along with a pistol believed to have been used in the shooting; Johnson was pronounced dead at Ben Taub.

It's unclear exactly what happened, but police say Quintero somehow managed to get a gun and shoot Johnson from the back seat. There are few details so far this morning, but KPRC reports Quintero's criminal history includes charges of sexual assault of a child and driving while intoxicated; he's being held in the Harris County Jail with no bond. Investigators say they've been in touch with the female suspect who fled the scene.

Johnson is the first HPD officer killed in more than two years; the last, Frank Cantu, was hit by a drunk driver in Montrose in March 2004. According to the Chronicle, just over 100 HPD officers have been killed in the line of duty since 1860.

Donations to benefit Johnson's family may be made to the 100 Club Survivor's Fund at the100club.org, by phone at 713.952.0100 or by mail to 1233 West Loop South, Suite 1250, Houston, 77027.