Veteran Texas Deputy Killed while Executing Arrest Warrant

Officials are mourning the death of Brazoria County Sheriff's Office Deputy Jesus Vargas, who was shot and killed while attempting to execute an arrest warrant Wednesday morning, according to authorities.

Vargas was a 17-year law enforcement veteran, and a member of the U.S. Marshal's Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Task Force. Brazoria County Sheriff Bo Stallman described Vargas as a "very dedicated servant to Brazoria County."

Here's what we know about Vargas:

'Friend, mentor and inspiration'

Vargas joined the Brazoria County Sheriff's Office in October 2007. He began his career as a law enforcement officer with Danbury Police Department the year before, according to employment history maintained by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement.

Stallman said Vargas was a father of three and asked the public keep Vargas' wife and children in their thoughts as they grapple with the loss of their father and husband.

"I would ask that we all send our prayers and our condolences to the family," Stallman said at a news conference. "That's what we're doing as a department and as a community of Brazoria County."

Vargas also had a brother, Stallman said.

In a post made to Facebook, the Brazoria County Sheriff's Office said Vargas was an inspiration to those around him.

"He was more than a team member — he was a friend, mentor and inspiration to everyone who knew him," the post read. "His professionalism and kind nature left a lasting impact on our office and the residents he served."

Shot while attempting to arrest violent offender

Stallman said Vargas, who had been a part of the U.S. Marshal's Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Task Force for two years, was shot after he and another officer approached a man at a strip mall on the 9300 block of Stella Link in southwest Houston.

Vargas was transported to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to Stallman.

Law enforcement agencies are searching for a 56-year-old man, Robert Lee Davis, also known as Sean Christopher Davis, in connection to the shooting. Police said he was last seen wearing a blue Nike hoodie, with white lettering, blue jeans and blue sneakers. Officials issued a Blue Alert Wednesday afternoon with more information regarding Davis.

"He's a repeat violent offender; that's why this task force was pursuing him out of the U.S. Marshals Office," said Houston Mayor John Whitmire in a news conference Wednesday afternoon. "It's an operation that includes our surrounding county partners ... and they followed him into the City of Houston, and they saw an opportunity to move on him."

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