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Captain Harry Phoenix, Sgt. Schuyler C. Houston and Patrolman J.F.
Keevil had just finished an evening meal at Sams Place, at 2901 Piedras.
It was 11:20 p.m., Monday, June 14th, when the three officers spotted
two suspicious men on Alameda. When Sgt. Houston told one of the men he
was facing arrest, the man pulled out a gun and shot Sgt. Houston twice.
The other suspect also pulled out a gun and shot Captain Phoenix once in
the head, killing him instantly. Officer Keevil took cover and returned
fire, but the two suspects escaped into Juarez and were never captured.
Although critically wounded, Sgt. Houston survived the attack although
he never regained his health before dying of pneumonia 6 years later.
Captain Phoenix was an El Paso Policeman for 10 years and was 37 years
old when he died. He was survived by his wife and his 12 year old
daughter, Elizabeth. He was the eighth El Paso Police Officer to die in
the line of duty and the only one to have served in the capacity of
Chief of Police (Interim). Source: El Paso Times
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