Officer Elston Morris Howard was assigned to the department’s Vice Division. He was conducting an investigation at approximately 11:15 pm on July 19, 1988, at the Empire Adult Bookstore located at 4330 Richmond. While Officer Howard was completing paperwork at the counter, Robert Mitchell Jennings entered with the intent of committing a robbery. Jennings approached and fired three shots from close range at Officer Howard who was in plainclothes, but wearing a clearly marked H.P.D. Raid Jacket. Officer Howard fell to the floor with wounds to the head and neck area. As Officer Howard struggled toward the front door to get away, Jennings stood over the seriously wounded Officer and fired once more at the officer’s head. Despite doctor’s efforts to save Officer Howard’s life at Ben Taub Hospital, he was pronounced dead at 12:35 am on July 20, 1988. Mitchell was arrested at a later date, convicted of Capital Murder, and sentenced to death by lethal injection.