Officer Down

Officer Down

Police were working at a construction zone, when a possible drunk driver crashed through the barricades and plowed into two of the three officers.

Officer Gary Gryder was killed. Officer Joe Pyland is listed in critical condition. The third officer was able to jump out of the way and was un-harmed.

According to reports the DUI suspect did not even break during the accident. As he hit one patrol car, the driver’s side door was ripped off.

Please observe a moment of silence in memory of Officer Gary Gryder

The driver was arrested but there were no immediate charges.

Police state that the suspect was laughing at the officers at one point. Police said the suspect’s demeanor led them to believe he was intoxicated.

Officers Gary Gryder was pronounced dead at Memorial Hermann Hospital.

The Houston Police Officer's Union Web site said Gryder was a 25-year veteran of the force and was married with one son.

Pyland is a 1980 graduate of the Houston police academy.