At approximately 1:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 12, 2002 Harris County Sheriff’s Deputy Shane R. Bennett, assigned to Patrol District II, responded to a possible home invasion in northeast Harris County. A teen-age girl’s frantic call brought Deputy Bennett and two other deputies to the modest home in the middle of the night. Their mission was urgent. Masked men with guns had broken through the front door and were threatening the girl’s family. The deputies heard screams, so they went into the house, which was nearly pitch black. They turned on their flashlights and walked through a few rooms. Deputy Bennett was followed single file by two other deputies when they confronted two masked armed robbers. A gun battle ensued in which the two suspects and Deputy Bennett lay mortally wounded. Also wounded were a female occupant of the residence and their infant son. One suspect fled the house before the shootout, while two others were outside the residence. One was serving as a lookout and the other was in a getaway car. All were eventually captured and charged with aggravated robbery. Tragically, a ballistics report later confirmed that Deputy Bennett had died from friendly fire. He was accidentally shot in the back of the head by a fellow deputy. Deputy Bennett was a 5-year patrol deputy and an 8-year veteran of the Department. At the time of his death his wife and their 20-month-old daughter survived him. Deputy Bennett was the 33rd deputy to die in the line of duty.