Officer Sudderth has been a part of the Houston Police Department for a total of 22 years. He is currently assigned to the North Priority Investigative Unit within the North Patrol Division, where he conducts follow-up investigations. “My unit targets areas experiencing high crime trends, with a focus on repeat offenders,” Officer Sudderth shared.

He described what a typical shift looks like after receiving a daily crime report from the North Crime Analysis Unit. “Once a case is assigned to me, I search for leads, interview individuals connected to the incident, gather relevant evidence, and work to identify potential suspects. When a victim identifies a suspect, I present the case to the Harris County District Attorney’s Office for charges. After the criminal warrant is issued, it’s transferred to the tactical unit for execution,” Officer Sudderth explained.

When he’s not on the clock for HPD, however, he picks up shifts with the North Houston District Off-Duty Officer program.

Off-Duty But On Guard

Officer Sudderth has now been with the Off-Duty program for 20 years. He first learned about the program from HPD North Belt colleagues who were working with the District to increase law enforcement presence in the area. “Our primary responsibilities include conducting regular patrols of local businesses and apartment communities to deter criminal activity, identify vehicle break-ins, and ensure there are no disturbances or loitering incidents. It is a high-visibility program, where law enforcement presence serves as a crime deterrent,” he said.

He credits the North Houston District’s Tracy Harrison with identifying potential hotspots for unsavory activity and leveraging the Off-Duty program to address them quickly. For example, Officer Sudderth points to travelers flying into or out of Bush Intercontinental Airport who stay at nearby hotels. “Out-of-towners here on business may not be as aware of the importance of not leaving belongings in their vehicles overnight and may be more vulnerable targets,” he said. A visible police or security presence in these areas can help deter crimes of opportunity.

The Off-Duty program also coordinates with local businesses to provide report cards for burglary prevention. “The report cards help businesses and employees to increase safety and security by addressing specific issues that criminals may try to exploit,” Officer Sudderth explained, adding, “There’s an education piece to it.”

Military Experience Shapes Dedication to Public Service

Before beginning his long career in law enforcement, Officer Sudderth served for 20 years in the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Navy Reserves. During his military service, he also attended Sam Houston State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. After graduating, he joined the Houston Police Department. “The structure and discipline of the military guided my path toward law enforcement,” he shared.

A Witness to Positive Changes to the Area

Thanks to collaboration amongst various law enforcement and community stakeholders, the North Houston District has seen improved overall public safety outcomes in the area. In his two decades working the North Houston beat, Officer Sudderth agrees that the improvements are palpable.

“A lot of big companies have come into the area, and North Houston is developing a stronger reputation for business opportunity and job growth,” he said. Officer Sudderth mentions that he feels a sense of pride playing a part in the positive changes to the area.

“I still enjoy putting on the uniform every day. My wife and I have talked about retirement, and I could retire right now if I wanted to, but I genuinely enjoy doing the job,” he said.

Thank you to Senior Officer Sudderth for your many years of service and your contributions to public safety in the North Houston District!