Nassau Bay police Sgt. Kaila Sullivan killed in traffic stop

This undated photo provided by the Nassau Bay, Texas, Police Department shows Tavores Henderson. Authorities in the Houston area are searching for Henderson who they say struck and killed police Sgt. Kaila Sullivan with his vehicle while fleeing a traffic stop Tuesday evening, Dec. 10, 2019. Police say Henderson had an outstanding warrant on a domestic violence-related charge and Sullivan is the second Houston-area police officer to die on duty in less than a week. (Nassau Bay Police Department via AP) less This undated photo provided by the Nassau Bay, Texas, Police Department shows Tavores Henderson. Authorities in the Houston area are searching for Henderson who they say struck and killed police Sgt. Kaila ... more Photo: Associated Press Photo: Associated Press Image 1 of / 35 Caption Close Nassau Bay police Sgt. Kaila Sullivan killed in traffic stop 1 / 35 Back to Gallery

Harris County Sheriff's Office SWAT officers turned up empty-handed Wednesday morning after surrounding a southeast Houston home where a man charged in the death of Nassau Bay Police Department Sgt. Kaila Sullivan was believed to be hiding.

Sullivan died after being struck during a traffic stop on the 2000 block of San Sebastian Court about 8:30 p.m. The 16-year veteran was among a group of officers attempting to arrest a man wanted on a warrant related to a domestic violence case, Nassau Bay Police Chief Tim Cromie said. Police said that during the stop, the man managed to wrestle free from officers, get back into his vehicle, and then hit Sullivan as he drove away, Cromie said.

EMS rushed Sullivan to HCA-Houston Clear Lake Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. She would have marked 16 years with Nassau Bay PD later this month, Cromie said.

The driver, later identified as 21-year-old Tavores Dewayne Henderson, is now facing a felony murder charge in Sullivan's death. Sullivan, 43, is the second Harris County law enforcement officer killed in the line of duty during the past week.

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Early Wednesday, police surrounded Henderson's mother's home in Houston's Sunnyside neighborhood, believing the fugitive might be inside. After an hours-long wait, the heavily armed officers entered the home, but Henderson was nowhere to be found.

Authorities are now asking for the public's help in finding Henderson, who is known to have weapons, according to detectives. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is urged to call Houston Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS (8477) or HCSO Homicide at 713-274-9100.

“This a nightmare scenario for our city,” Nassau Bay Mayor Mark Denman said, asking for prayers for Sullivan’s family. “The first time an officer has ever been seriously injured, much less killed in the line of duty. We’re a very safe city, we’ll catch the suspect.”

The Harris County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation.

Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said a search for the suspect was underway and asked residents with any information about the suspect to contact them with tips.

“Our main thing is we’re supporting the mayor and chief as they lift up the community during this difficult time,” Gonzalez, calling Sullivan’s death a “grim reminder” about the dangers law enforcement officers face.

An arrest warrant had been issued for the 21-year-old man, who was charged Tuesday with assault of a family member, according to Harris County court documents. He was accused of assaulting a person with whom he had a dating relationship.

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Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said the tragedy “underscores the profound sacrifice men and women of law enforcement make every day they step out to protect our community.”

Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo, whose department is dealing with the shooting death Saturday of a sergeant, said in a tweet that Sullivan's death was a "heart-wrenching loss."

"Heaven gained a servant doing God’s work. She laid down her life while attempting to arrest a suspect wanted for domestic violence. May Sergeant Kaila Sullivan rest in eternal peace and glory in the presence of our maker," the tweet continued.

The incident comes three days after Houston Police Sgt. Christopher Brewster was shot and killed responding to a domestic violence call in Magnolia Park.

Police subsequently arrested Arturo Solis, 25, in Brewster's death. He faces capital murder charges.

Julian Gill is a digital reporter in Houston. Read him on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and on our subscriber site, houstonchronicle.com. | julian.gill@chron.com