11 News reports: Jeremy Desel | Reggie Aqui

Officer Rodney Johnson was shot around 5:30 p.m. Thursday in the 9300 block of Randolph.

KHOU-TV

Officers look at the suspect's truck.

He was rushed to Ben Taub, but it was too late. The 40-year-old father of five didn’t survive.

The man accused of shooting him was in court early Friday morning.

Juan Leonardo Quintero, 32, has been charged with the capital murder of a police officer.

In court, the prosecutor said Quintero allegedly pulled a 9 mm gun from his waistband and shot Officer Johnson. Casings were found in the car.

Quintero is being held without bond. Records show that in 1999 he got three years deferred adjudication for indecency with a child.

Homicide investigators, Internal Affairs agents and members of the Harris County District Attorney’s office were at the scene of the crime Thursday, trying to piece together what could have gone so tragically wrong.

The incident started like so many other police moments.

“We actually seen him when he had his lights on, when he was coming this way,” said a witness.

It was a traffic stop of a white Dodge pickup truck, and an arrest.

“The officer took the suspect into custody.  He was apparently handcuffed and placed in the rear of a patrol vehicle,” said HPD Chief Harold Hurtt at a press conference.

What happened next is what homicide detectives want to find out.

Witnesses driving by saw nothing unusual.

“The police officer was leaving the truck and going back to the patrol car, like walking back that way,” said the witness.

Somehow the suspect got a gun and used it while handcuffed.

“We believe the officer was shot while sitting inside his vehicle. He was able to push the emergency button,” said Chief Hurtt.

Officer Johnson was hit in the back of the head four times. Witnesses said they heard a number of shots.

The suspect was clearly agitated and thrashing around in the back of the car. Police hog-tied him.

Police took his clothing as evidence, and he was put in a paper jumper.

11 News was told that the suspect did have the gun, but it was not found when he was searched before being taken into custody. He was wearing some sort of baggy-type painters pants, which may have added to the problem.

Officer Johnson used to be a jailer and was well-versed in all of the procedures.

The last time an officer was shot and killed while in his car was in 1994. Officer G. P. Gaddis was transporting two suspects when one, who was handcuffed, reached and got a .380 hidden on his person. Gaddis was shot in the back of the head.

The 100 Club is accepting donations to help the family of Rodney Johnson. Donations can be made to:
100 Club Survivor's Fund
1233 West Loop South, Suite 1250
Houston, Texas 77027

The 100 Club provides benefits to dependents of peace officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty.