Reward offered in slaying of Harris County deputy in 1974

Case is first to be revived under a new program

The 1974 shooting death of a Harris County Sheriff ’s deputy will be the first case for a new state program to help solve cold cases involving Texas lawmen killed in the line of duty.

The Fallen Hero Reward — Texas Remembers program is designed to help generate new leads for unsolved crimes like the slaying of Deputy Edd Williams, who was shot and killed 42 years ago.

“It is an attack on all Texans when a Texas law enforcement officer or first responder is killed or seriously injured in the line of duty,” Gov. Greg Abbott said Tuesday at a news conference.

“Worse, it is a momentous injustice when such a crime goes unsolved.”

Williams was shot Jan. 12 during a robbery at the Victoria Manors Apartments, 830 Victoria Drive.

“We are asking the public’s help in trying to resolve this cold case that has affected one of our own,” Harris County Sheriff Ron Hickman said Tuesday at the news conference.

Williams was survived by his wife — who has since died — and his then 6-year-old son, Yancy, who is now a Harris County Sheriff ’s deputy.

Homicide detectives had only a vague description of the assailants — two black men in their early 20s. If still alive, they would be in their early-to-mid 60s, authorities said.

Steve McGraw, director of the Texas Department of Public Safety, said his agency is committed to continuing the search for evidence and bringing closure to the families of slain lawmen and other first responders.

“DPS feels a deep loss every time our law enforcement brethren or a first responder pays the ultimate sacrifice while serving this state, and we urge anyone with information related to an unsolved crime to come forward,” McGraw said.

Up to $20,000 is offered for information that results in a case being solved. The program is funded by the state’s criminal justice division and will be administered by DPS.

Any tip can be offered anonymously by calling 800-222-TIPS or texting DPS with the details to 274637 from a cellphone.