A Texas police officer who was fatally shot in the head during a traffic stop was found dead with his hands empty and dressed in his uniform, police said.
Raymond Rossi was “in the right place at the right time” Friday, when he was confronted by his wife outside their home after she found text messages about having sex with another woman, according to a statement by the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.
Rossi, 56, and his wife, Sherry, 66, had been involved in a marital separation and had been arguing earlier that day, police said. Sherry Rossi “became upset at him” and when she left the couple’s home in Friendswood, Texas, she found her husband and an unidentified male who was in his underwear and lying on the side of the road, police said.
The unidentified man was taken into custody and has been charged with murder in the shooting death of Officer Ray Rossi, police said.
Officials found Ray Rossi’s unmarked police car about 15 miles away with its lights and sirens activated, police said. The officer had been shot once in the head and deputies arrived on the scene and found the man lying next to the car.
A probable cause affidavit for the murder charge doesn’t mention the gay relationship between the victim and the suspect. According to People magazine, the suspect is Rossi’s estranged husband.
The prosecutor handling the case said there is no reason to believe the man was in a relationship with Rossi.
“He is a friend of the family who suffered a major tragedy,” Assistant District Attorney Paul Owens said at a news conference Monday. “We can talk about the relationship of the two men, but that is purely an example of how Ray was killed.”
Rossi’s wife told police the man had been given drugs by Rossi but that she was trying to resolve the situation and arrange for the man to go to the hospital. Sherry Rossi also told investigators that when she first found out her husband had been drinking Friday night, she asked for a domestic violence restraining order and Rossi agreed, but he never showed up for the hearing, according to police.
The officer had been employed with the suburban Houston force for 12 years, CNN affiliate KTRK reported. He served as a reserve officer in the county since 2009, police said.
Rossi is survived by two sons and a daughter, the station reported.
Sherry Rossi called 911 and was taken to the hospital. She was interviewed by detectives at the hospital. She has been released and her son is speaking to the media with her, KTRK reported.
Sherry Rossi’s attorney said the couple had marital issues. She said she had asked for a domestic violence restraining order against her husband but when he didn’t show up for the hearing, she went to police.
The investigation is ongoing.