On Saturday, September 14, 1991, Corporal Jeffery Scott Sanford was on his way to the Pasadena Rodeo to help at the D.A.R.E. booth that was being sponsored by the Sheriff’s Department. On the way, Scott exited the North Freeway and entered a service station in the 6000 block of the service road. Scott was dressed in plain clothes and was driving an unmarked black Sheriff’s Department vehicle equipped with grill lights, siren and Sheriff’s Department radio.

As Scott drove into the service station, he noticed a vehicle parked on the south side of the building with a driver sitting very low in the car. He pulled up next to and parallel with the station’s convenience store and turned on his emergency grill lights. With his off duty weapon drawn, and displaying his badge and Sheriff’s Department identification, Scott exited his car. He pushed open the door and as he stood in the doorway, he confronted a suspect and advised him to put his gun down. The suspect refused to drop his weapon, instead pointed his gun at Scott and told him to put his gun down.

Unknown to Scott, another suspect was inside the store crouched behind the counter. This suspect, who was armed with a .25 auto that was not loaded, found a .357 magnum on a lower counter shelf. The first suspect then rushed Scott and began to wrestle with him. The second suspect, after crawling back under the counter, ran toward the doorway. As he reached the struggle, the second suspect raised the .357 magnum and struck Scott in the face. As the weapon made contact with Scott’s left jaw the suspect pulled the trigger shooting Scott. The bullet severed both carotid arteries and Scott died at the scene

A few days later the two suspects inside the store, as well as the driver of the car, were arrested and charged with Capital Murder of a Peace Officer. Corporal Jeffery Scott Sanford, a very popular and active member of the Sheriff’s Department, was 31 years old. On September 24, 1991, Harris County Commissioner’s Court signed into order a resolution proclaiming September 14th as Corporal Jeffery Scott Sanford Day in Harris County.