 Due to his position, Thomas was often able to direct how taxpayer money was spent on various programs. Tom Graham, Fox News. A Texas detective killed in the line of duty as the manhunt for his killer continues. The Harris County detective was shot and killed Wednesday night while pursuing a person who had pistol whipped a worker at a pizza store in Houston. Harris County Sheriff's Department Chief Deputy Mike Lee says the detective was, quote, ambushed after tracking down the suspect's vehicle.