Man charged with capital murder after sheriff’s officials say he killed Constable Robert White

“I was notified by telephone this morning,” said Angie Sommers, Constable Pct. 7.

Sommers got the news any law enforcement officer dreads.

Her co-worker Constable Robert White had been killed in the line of duty.

“It’s the loss of a family member the loss of a brother,” said Sommers.

Sheriff’s officials told ABC-7 White was working security at a haunted house in Canutillo.

A report released by the Sheriff’s office says they got a call about an officer down. When they arrived they found White unresponsive.

The report says witnesses saw White get in a fight. The attacker was 19-year old Devon Huerta-Person, an active duty soldier stationed at Fort Bliss.

Witnesses also said Huerta-Person punched White in the face. White fell to the ground and was bleeding heavily, witnesses added that Huerta left on foot.

“He loved what he did, he was faithful to what he did and he was faithful to his constituents,” said Sommers

In an interview with ABC-7 in 2011 White commented on a recent drug bust.

“We worked hard to give back to the community and do things that are positive,” said White.

White was long-time resident of West El Paso. He graduated from Coronado High School and later the University of Texas at El Paso in 2004.

White was also a physical education teacher at Putnam Elementary School for 17 years.

The El Paso Independent School District sent ABC-7 this statement.

“Coach White was a phenomenal man. He always worked to ensure that our kids were safe.”

Fellow co-worker Sheriff Richard Wiles sent ABC-7 this statement.

:”Constable Robert White was a true professional who represented the very essence of public service. This is a tragic reminder of the dangers faced by our law enforcement officers as they work to protect us all.”

“When we put on our uniforms we put them on knowing we may night come home tonight. We know that we are painfully aware of that and any time we lose an officer we are reminded of that,” said Sommers.

Huerta-Person was placed in the El Paso County Detention facility under a $5 million bond.
Fort Bliss is not issuing a comment at this time.

The last time an El Paso County constable was killed was in 1920.

That shooter was also a U.S. Army soldier.