The Missouri City community is grieving the deaths of Caleb Rule, Fort Bend County Precinct 4 deputy, and George Floyd, a Houston native killed in custody of the Minneapolis Police Department.
Missouri City City Council members expressed their condolences to the Rule and Floyd families and offered words of encouragement to Missouri City residents during the June 1 City Council meeting.
Rule, a former Missouri City Police Department detective and officer, was killed in the line of duty May 29 when a Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office deputy mistook him for an intruder while responding to a call in the Sienna neighborhood.
“I'd like to begin with a recognition of praise for our fallen detective, Caleb Rule,” Council Member Floyd Emery said. “I knew Caleb from his activities with the Police Officers Association and especially our golf tournament. He was always there at the ready, willing to to pitch in and do whatever was necessary. In addition to that, he was a great officer and a testament to the training and dedication that our police officers have in Missouri City.”
Floyd, 46, who was raised in Houston’s Third Ward, was killed May 25 in the custody of the Minneapolis Police Department. Videos of Floyd’s death have prompted demonstrations and protests across the county, including in Houston.
Council Member Jeffrey Boney, who graduated two years ahead of Floyd at Jack Yates High School in Houston, said many in the Yates and Third Ward communities are grieving the loss of Floyd. Additionally, he asked Missouri City residents to remain calm and show compassion toward one another.
“Missouri City is an extremely unique community,” Boney said. “No one is free from issues, but I know I've experienced a lot of love and compassion here in the city of Missouri City over my 20 years. I want us to continue to do that and let's have meaningful discussions.”
Council Member Vashaundra Edwards, who asked for the Rule and Floyd families to be lifted in prayer during this time, said the community also needs to pray for people in leadership positions throughout the world.
“Continue to pray for our leadership as we observe these events that are happening around the world,” Edwards said. “We have to hope and pray that our leaders are making the best decisions and hold ourselves accountable if we are having any wrongdoing in our own community.”
A public visitation will be held for Rule on June 3 from 5-8 p.m. at Carmel Church in Needville, according to a GoFundMe post to help support Rule’s family. A private funeral for family and law enforcement will follow June 4.
Members of the public can also participate in a memorial for Floyd June 8 at The Fountain of Praise church in Houston from noon-6 p.m.