Houston Police Sergeant offered job back after Killing Pedro Oregon in Raid, victim's family shocked

• Originally published by Khou.com on Sunday, December 12, 2004
  

From Vicente Arenas / 11 News

A Houston police sergeant who led the infamous, and ill-fated raid on an apartment on in southwest Houston is getting his job back. It's been six years since Pedro Oregon was killed during the drug raid that turned up nothing.

His family spoke with 11news reporter Vicente Arenas about one of the most controversial shootings in the history of the Houston Police Department.

Pedro Oregon's picture has been ever present in the home of his mother and sister, who said they never expected Sgt. Darrell Strouse to get his job back.

"It shocked me because I never thought things were going to turn out to be this way," said Susanna Gonzalez, Oregon's sister.

Strouse oversaw six members of a gang unit who shot and killed Oregon at this southwest side apartment complex in 1998.

The officer claimed to be looking for drugs, but found none.

During the raid, shots were fired. One officer was hit by friendly fire.

Attorney Paul Nugent said Oregon was hit 12 times, including nine times in the back.

"It's wrong and it's outrageous. Pedro was murdered while he was asleep," said Nugent, the Oregon family's attorney.

Strouse was fired, but appealed.

A hearing examiner ruled there was evidence of mistakes, but said the firing was too harsh a punishment.

Strouse, the arbitrator said, should be reinstated as an officer and given some back pay.

"We have all along been of the opinion that this was a very tragic event," said Robert Armbruster, Strouse's attorney. "A lot of the reaction that the officer's had, they were reacting to events that were taking place in their presence."

Oregon's mother said Strouse should not have been reinstated and fears the officer could put others in danger.

Appeals are pending for other officers involved in that shooting.

Strouse was unavailable for comment and it's not clear just how much back pay he will get or if he'll even accept the reinstatement.