Killed by floodwaters on way to work
next morning.
A crew of police officers spent the night at the scene, standing and waiting until the morning light. Perez was still inside the vehicle when divers were finally able to find the car.
“Here’s a man who didn’t spend 20 minutes and then come back and say, ‘Hey, I tried,’ ” said Acevedo. “He spent close to 21/2 hours, because he has that in his DNA.”
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, who stood with Acevedo in delivering the grim news, said the entire city workforce was giving its all in response to the crippling storm.
“Sometimes you try to find a way to make it happen, or you die trying,” said Turner. “Sgt. Perez lost his life because he tried to make it happen, he tried to get at his post. That’s the ultimate sacrifice.”
Perez was survived by his wife, a son and a daughter.
“We are proud of the courage of this 34-year veteran,” read a statement from the Houston Police Department. “Like Steve, we will not waver and we will not stop until we meet the immediate safety and security needs of the community.”
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) added his voice to the chorus hailing the heroic sergeant.
“We lift up in prayer the family of @HoustonPolice Sgt. Steve Perez, and give thanks to all the first responders helping to keep Texans safe,” tweeted Cruz.
Acevedo was charged with delivering the sad news to Perez’s wife.
“I told his wife, ‘If the Lord’s going to take him today how do you think he would want to go — laying in bed, watching a disaster, or doing what he’s done for 34 years?’ ” the chief recounted.
“The smile that overcame that woman’s face, that beautiful wife, said it all. ‘If it’s his turn to go,’ she said, ‘this is the way he would want to go.’ ”
The Harris County sheriff’s office tweeted that its officers were involved in more than 3,000 rescues since Harvey arrived on land Friday evening.