Houston Police Sergeant offered job back after Killing Latino Man

Pedro Oregon's family shocked

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. "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. 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. [more]