Texas Department of Criminal Justice - Correctional Institutions Division, Texas
End of Watch Monday, June 3, 1985
Add to My HeroesMinnie R. Houston
Corrections Officer Minnie Houston was stabbed to death at the Ellis I unit at 1697 FM 980 in Huntsville.
She was supervising seven inmate trustees at the dining hall of the maximum security Ellis I Unit when she was attacked by an inmate with a 15-inch kitchen knife. She attempted to disarm the inmate but was stabbed eight times and killed.
The suspect was sentenced to death for Officer Houston's murder but died in prison in 2000.
Officer Houston prevented the escape of two death row inmates the previous year as they attempted to jump a prison fence.
Officer Houston had served with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice - Correctional Institutions Division for almost 6 years. She was survived by her three sons.
Bio
- Age 41
- Tour 6 years
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Stabbed
- Weapon Edged weapon; Knife
- Offender Sentenced to death
Most Recent Reflection
View all 45 ReflectionsI was employed at the Ellis II unit at Minnie's end of shift. She was one of my training officers after the academy as Ellis II was not yet housing inmates. She was a wonderful woman and dedicated officer. I was a better officer after coming to know her.
S. Emerson
December 29, 2024
Recent LODD Deaths
Corporal Timothy J. O'Connor, Jr.
Pennsylvania State Police, PA
EOW: March 8, 2026
Deputy Sheriff Kaleb Mitchell
Forsyth County Sheriff's Office, NC
EOW: March 7, 2026
Sergeant Kathleen M. Radziunas
Metropolitan Transportation Authority Police Department, NY
EOW: April 30, 2025
Master Trooper Steven J. Perry
North Carolina Highway Patrol, NC
EOW: March 1, 2026
Conservation Enforcement Officer Senior Shawn Nixon
Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources - Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, AL
EOW: November 23, 2025
Corporal David M. Hathcock
Montgomery Police Department, AL
EOW: February 22, 2026
Correctional Officer Dustin Pedigo
Tennessee Department of Correction, TN
EOW: February 25, 2026
Deputy Sheriff Michael Hislope
Christian County Sheriff's Office, MO
EOW: February 24, 2026
Deputy Sheriff Gabriel Ramirez
Christian County Sheriff's Office, MO
EOW: February 23, 2026

