On Thursday, September 10, 1953, two Deputies, Leo Busby and Alvin Baker, were working as partners, while enroute to Houston after delivering a prisoner to Rusk State Hospital. As they traveled south on Highway 69, a soft drink delivery truck pulled across the roadway in front of their vehicle. Deputy Baker lost control of the car and entered a ditch, causing the vehicle to roll. Deputy Busby was ejected from the vehicle and died instantly. Deputy Busby was a popular member of the Department who enjoyed working with juveniles; he was 42 years old. Deputy Leo Busby and Deputy Alvin Baker made history on November 16, 1950, when they became the first black Deputies hired by the Harris County Sheriff’s Department.