Medical examiner rules on cause of death after deputy collapses

Deputy Omar Diaz was on duty, responding to a stabbing incident when he fell ill. He was taken to Northwest Hospital where he died shortly thereafter. Deputy Omar Diaz was on duty, responding to a stabbing incident when he fell ill. He was taken to Northwest Hospital where he died shortly thereafter. Photo: HCSO Photo: HCSO Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Medical examiner rules on cause of death after deputy collapses 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

A Harris County Sheriff's Office Deputy who collapsed at the scene of a stabbing on Saturday died of natural causes, medical examiners have ruled.

Omar Diaz, 39, died at North Cypress Medical Center after doctors were unable to revive him, Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said.

Diaz was laying out crime scene tape outside a home in the 7500 block of Stone Pine Lane Saturday morning when he collapsed. He was briefly able to speak with other deputies before he fell out of consciousness again on his way to the hospital.

According to Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences, Diaz suffered from a pulmonary embolism due to deep venous thrombosis.

Diaz began his career at the sheriff's office in 2009 as a detention officer, and was most recently assigned to patrol in the Crossroads Park subdivision after graduating from the sheriff's office's basic peace officer's course last year.

He is survived by a wife and 7-year-old daughter.

Services for Diaz are scheduled for Thursday at Champion Forest Baptist Church, 16518 Jersey Drive in Jersey Village. Viewing begins at 10 a.m. with the service at 11 a.m. Interment follows at Forest Park Lawndale, at 6900 Lawndale.