Police searching for suspect who killed Nassau Bay police sergeant

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KLTV/AP) - Authorities in the Houston area think the 21-year-old man who they say struck and killed a police officer while fleeing a traffic stop may be heading to Louisiana.

Harris County authorities say a warrant for felony murder has been issued for Tavores Henderson.

According to the police department in the Clear Lake area, 43-year-old Sgt. Kaila Sullivan was one of the officers conducting a traffic stop on a vehicle at an apartment complex in the 2000 block of San Sebastian Court around 8:30 p.m. Tuesday.

While trying to arrest the driver, police said the suspect fought with officers and was able to break free, re-enter the vehicle, and hit Sullivan as he drove away. Sullivan was taken to HCA Clear Lake Hospital by ambulance, where she died.

Police say Henderson struck and killed Sullivan with his vehicle while fleeing the scene. He was last seen around 1:50 p.m. Wednesday in Missouri City with a male named Anthony, troopers said. According to a news release, Henderson was possibly driving a red Buick with dark tinting and a busted back window and Texas license plates.

Henderson was already wanted on an outstanding warrant on a domestic violence-related charge. He has a history of weapons charges, according to Texas DPS.

Anyone with information on this case should contact the Harris County Sheriff’s Office at (713) 222-8477.

According to Pittsburg Police Department, Sgt. Sullivan’s mother lives in the Pittsburg area. Police Chief Richard Penn says that the 100 Club has flown Sullivan’s mother and two cousins to Houston. The 100 Club is a 32,000-member non-profit organization which provides financial support to the dependents of law enforcement officers and firefighters who are killed or catastrophically injured in the line of duty in 32 counties surrounding Houston.

They request prayers for the family.

Early Wednesday, officers from several different law enforcement agencies gathered outside the hospital to salute her body. Patrol units followed the vehicle carrying her body to the medical examiner’s office. Then sheriff’s deputies, Houston police and Webster police took a moment to salute her again.

Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez says everyone in the law enforcement community is grieving with Nassau Bay.

Sullivan is the second Houston-area police officer to die on duty in less than a week.

Copyright 2019 KLTV. The Associated Press contributed to this story. All rights reserved.