DALLAS (KRLD) - Deputy Richard Whitten had a heart attack during physical therapy. Liberty County Sheriff Bobby Rader says this was a death in the line of duty.
He says on May 29th last year he got a call about a shooting in Cleveland. "He happened to spot the vehicle and pursued the vehicle. The defendant bailed out of his car and started shooting and shot Deputy Whitten in his neck, the bullet hit his spine and that's what caused the problem."
Radar says Whitten had just been named officer of the year by the 100 club of Houston. He tried to call him to tell him the good news, but got his voicemail. He says "He gave his heart, he gave his life and he was an awesome deputy,"
Humble police officer Richard Moore says he and Whitten spoke every day for eleven years....he says Whitten was a great deputy and a great man. "He loved his family, his country and he loved his department too. It's a tragic loss. I'm not going to be able to replace him. He was my best friend."
Radar says Whitten kept food for the homeless and pet food for stray dogs and cats in his police cruiser. Whitten had been with the sheriff's office for four years. He leaves behind a wife and two adult children
