What we know about Deputy Constable Sheila Jones, who was injured in downtown shooting

A suspect was also wounded in the shooting. Both Jones and the suspect are said to be stable.

HOUSTON — A law enforcement officer who was injured in a shootout in downtown Houston Monday has been identified.

Officials said Deputy Constable Sheila Jones with the Harris County Precinct 1 Constable’s Office was running toward danger when she was shot in the back by a suspect. She was taken to the Texas Medical Center for treatment, and at last check, she was reported to be stable. The suspect in the shooting is also stable.

Here’s what we know about Jones.

Jones has amassed more than 5,000 TCOLE hours.

She started with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office in 1989 and worked for the department for 31 years while being promoted several times up to the rank of major in 2013.

According to a HCSO social media post, Jones’ promotion made her part of a historic trio, which is three women on its command staff for the first time.

Jones now works as a Deputy Constable for Harris County Precinct One.

She is assigned to the downtown court complex, which is in the area where authorities received a report of a man with a gun on Monday.

She was one of several law enforcement officials who went to confront the man. A shootout took place, and Jones was hit, but she was wearing a bulletproof vest.

Everyone who knows her spoke highly about her and her actions Monday afternoon, which included her former boss and former Harris County Sheriff Adrian Garcia.

« Former soldier, Army strong. She was an incredible go-getter in the sheriff’s office. That’s why she achieved the rank of Major. She is someone who I would always expect her to be at the point of any situation, taking care of people, protecting people, putting herself in harm’s way to protect people,” Garcia, who is now the Harris County Precinct 2 County Commissioner, said.

Jones comes from a law enforcement family, and her son works with HCSO.

People who were able to visit with her this afternoon said she was in “good spirits.”

The number of officers shot and injured in Texas is at a four-year high, according to available data from the Gun Violence Archive.

Thirteen officers have been wounded statewide by gunfire since the start of 2025.

How the shooting unfolded

The incident started around 12:20 p.m. when authorities got reports of a man with a gun walking toward the Harris County Family Law Center.

A deputy saw the man and started chasing him down Congress Street. More law enforcement officers also spotted the suspect, and a shootout broke out in the plaza in front of the building. A witness reported hearing 15-20 shots.

Jones and the suspect were both shot. No other injuries were reported.