Jan 2022. Blues Vol 38 No. 1

REMEMBERING THOSE WE’VE LOST
Lost in the Line of Duty
Police Officer Richard Houston, II
Mesquite Police Department, Texas
End of Watch Friday, December 3, 2021
Age 46 Tour 21 Years Badge # 821
Police Officer Richard Houston was shot and killed while responding to a disturbance
in the parking lot of a grocery store at 1500 S Beltline Road. During
the investigation, a man produced a gun and opened fire on Officer Houston at
about 1:40 pm. Both Officer Houston and the subject were critically wounded
in the exchange of gunfire. Officer Houston was transported to a local hospital,
where he succumbed to his injuries.
Officer Houston had served with the Mesquite Police Department for 21 years.
He is survived by his wife, two daughters, and one son. His father had served
with the Mesquite Police Department.
Police Officer Zachary Cottongim
Louisville Metro Police Department, Kentucky
End of Watch Saturday, December 18, 2021
Age 29 Tour 7 Years 2 Months Badge # 7239
Police Officer Zachary Cottongim was struck and killed by an automobile as he
attended to an abandoned vehicle on the side of I-64 near the Mellwood Avenue
exit. He was standing on the side of the highway when he was struck by a passing
vehicle. Officer Cottongim was taken to the University of Louisville Hospital
where he succumbed to his injuries.
Officer Cottongim had served with the Louisville Metro Police Department for
seven years. He is survived by his wife and two children.
Deputy Jailer Robert Daniel
Graves County Jail, Kentucky
End of Watch Friday, December 10, 2021
Age 47 Tour N/A Badge # N/A
Deputy Jailer Robert Daniel was killed when a large tornado struck a building he
was working in while supervising inmates on work release. Deputy Jailer Daniel
was supervising seven inmates who were participating in the work release program
at the Mayfield Consumer Products’ candle factory at 112 Industrial Drive.
A large tornado that had tracked over 200 miles across multiple states struck
the city of Mayfield. Deputy Daniel guided inmates and employees into the
shelter. Almost all 100 people were in the shelter ahead of him when the roof
collapsed and killed him and numerous employees. Without the risks that he
took to save others, more employees from the factory would have been killed.
All seven inmates were rescued from the rubble; however, one escaped after
being treated at a local hospital. Dozens of people in multiple states were killed
as a result of the tornado.
Officer Daniel is survived by his four daughters, three sons, seven grandchildren,
two brothers, and father.
Police Officer Mia Danielle Figueroa-Goodwin
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, NC
End of Watch Wednesday, December 22, 2021
Age 33 Tour 6 Years Badge # N/A
Police Officer Mia Figueroa-Goodwin was killed when a tractor-trailer struck
her patrol car on southbound I-85 near W.T. Harris Boulevard. She was blocking
traffic on the interstate at the scene of a previous crash when the tractor-trailer
struck her patrol car at about 3:30 am.
Officer Figueroa-Goodwin had served with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police
Department for over six years and was assigned to the University City Division.
She is survived by her husband and three children ages 3, 1, and 4 months.
32 The BLUES POLICE MAGAZINE The BLUES POLICE MAGAZINE 33