Funeral service for Harris County Deputy Fernando Esqueda

Funeral service for HCSO Deputy Fernando Esqueda

A funeral service was held Friday morning for fallen Harris County Deputy Fernando Esqueda, who was killed in the line of duty last week.

HOUSTON - A fallen Harris County deputy who was killed in the line of duty was honored during a funeral service on Friday.

Harris County Deputy Fernando Esqueda, a five-year veteran of the sheriff’s office who served on the Violent Persons Warrant Task Force, was shot and killed last week while trying to track down a suspect.

MORE: Harris County Deputy Fernando Esqueda killed in line of duty

Harris County Deputy Fernando Esqueda (Photo: HCSO)

Funeral services were held Friday morning at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Houston. Full police honors followed the service.

Harris County Deputy Fernando Esqueda remembered

Deputy Esqueda completed his Basic Peace Officer Course at the University of Houston Downtown in 2017. He began his law enforcement career as a deputy with the Harris County Precinct 6 Constable’s Office.

He joined the sheriff’s office in February 2019, working on patrol in District 2 and District 3.

MORE: Harris County mourns Deputy Fernando Esqueda killed in the line of duty

Visitation held for fallen deputy Fernando Esqueda

FOX 26 Reporter Randy Wallace has more as a viewing was held on Thursday for fallen Harris County Sheriff's Office Deputy Fernando Esqueda.

Family, friends, colleagues and the community paid their respects during a viewing and rosary on Thursday.

"It's always a loss when we lose a hero. Not only for us as an agency, but it's a loss for our community," said Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez. "And we lost a great one. A great crime fighter, but even a great man."

"He was a hero, a guardian, a beacon of justice in a world that sometimes seems to have forgotten what those words truly mean," said Harris County Deputy Investigator Steven Campos, who worked with Deputy Esqueda in the Violent Persons Warrant Task Force. "From the moment he put on that uniform, he knew the risks, he knew the sacrifices and the challenges that lay ahead. He was the person you could count on to have your back no matter the situation."

Procession for HCSO Deputy Fernando Esqueda

A procession was held Monday morning for fallen Harris County Deputy Fernando Esqueda, who was killed in the line of duty last week.

"In his short time here, he brought so much joy in our lives. He had a way of making our world brighter and brought so much beauty into our world," said Fernando's sister, Vanessa, who's also a Harris County Sheriff's Deputy. "The lightning bolt on his chain that he wore around his neck describes him to the T. His personality was electric, always full of energy. He was our family's life of the party."

HCSO Deputy Fernando Esqueda killed in line of duty

Deputy Esqueda was killed while trying to track down a suspect in an assault at a Little Caesers Pizza on Wallisville Road on July 10, authorities said.

The incident began when deputies responded to an assault at a Little Caesars Pizza on Wallisville Road. A man, reportedly upset over an incorrect pizza order, allegedly pistol-whipped an employee before fleeing the scene.

Authorities tracked the suspect's vehicle using the flock camera system, leading detectives to a neighborhood about six miles away, where Deputy Esqueda was apparently ambushed and fatally shot, officials said.

After a manhunt, 44-year-old Ronald "Ronnie" Palmer was arrested on Thursday evening. He was charged with capital murder and two counts of aggravated assault.

MORE: Capital murder charges filed against second suspect

On Sunday, a second man, 26-year-old Dremone Francis, was charged with capital murder and tampering/fabricating physical evidence.