WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, senior Member of the House Committees on Judiciary, Homeland Security, and Budget, and Ranking Member of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security and Investigations, released the following statement following the decision to fire the deputy who killed Danny Ray Thomas:

“Last month, when Danny Ray Thomas was shot by a deputy from the Harris County Sheriff’s Office (“HCSO”), his name was added to a long and sad list of unarmed African-American men involved in fatal, but at times preventable, interactions with law enforcement.

“I am a strong supporter of law enforcement. I recognize that police officers perform important and dangerous tasks. They go in neighborhoods others deem too dangerous and confront situations unimaginable to all except those who protect and serve. They are permitted to use lethal force, but only when it is necessary. There must be—and I am pleased that in the HCSO there are—policies and practices to ensure de-escalation when possible. This delicate balance serves two points: recognizing the danger police face in the discharge of their duties, and the responsibility to prevent against any unnecessary use of lethal force leading to the death of unarmed persons, like Danny Ray Thomas.

“I commend Sheriff Ed Gonzalez for holding accountable the deputy who took Danny Ray Thomas from his family, and from his community. Sheriff Gonzalez has represented that it was done after a thorough Internal Affairs investigation. While this moment of accountability gives me hope, the sad reality is that too many African-American families know the pain of losing a young son or daughter at the hands of law enforcement. Every day must be one closer to the one where these types of killings are no longer commonplace. Until that time, we must remain vigilant in our efforts toward that end.”