Houston, TX (KTRK) – The funeral arrangements for Harris County Sheriff's Office Deputy Fernando Esqueda, who was tragically killed in an ambush last week, have been announced. The public is invited to attend the services to honor the fallen deputy and show support for his family and colleagues.

Viewing and Funeral Services

A viewing will be held on Thursday, July 18, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, located at 2405 Navigation Blvd. During the viewing, a rosary service will take place from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., allowing attendees to participate in this traditional prayer service in memory of Deputy Esqueda. The following day, a funeral mass will be conducted on Friday, July 19, at 10 a.m. at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, situated at 1111 St. Joseph Pkwy. The mass will provide an opportunity for family, friends, and the community to gather and pay their final respects.

Procession and Final Escort

On Monday, Deputy Esqueda's colleagues honored him with a solemn procession, escorting his body to Memorial Oaks Funeral Home. The procession route included crossings over SH-288, I-45, and finally I-10, symbolizing the journey of respect and remembrance for the fallen officer. The sight of law enforcement vehicles in a line of solidarity highlighted the profound impact Deputy Esqueda had on his colleagues and the community he served.

Incident Details

Deputy Esqueda was fatally shot on July 10 while responding to a search for a suspect involved in an aggravated assault at a Little Caesars Pizza on Wallisville Road. The suspect, identified as 44-year-old Ronald "Ronnie" Palmer Jr., allegedly became upset over his order, verbally assaulted, and pistol-whipped an employee before fleeing the scene.

While officers, including Deputy Esqueda, were investigating the assault and attempting to locate Palmer, Esqueda was ambushed and shot. He was quickly transported to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead. This sudden and violent attack shocked the law enforcement community and underscored the inherent dangers officers face daily.