BRAZORIA COUNTY, Texas — Brazoria County Sheriff Bo Stallman on Thursday opened up about the death of one of his deputies a day prior.
Deputy Jesus “Jesse” Vargas was working with the U.S. Marshal’s Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Task Force when he was shot while trying to serve a warrant for Sean Christopher Davis‘ arrest. The shooting marked the first gunshot death of a law enforcement officer nationwide in 2025.
“There’s certainly a hole left in the department after yesterday,” Stallman said.
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Vargas was a 17-year veteran with the Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office. He leaves behind a wife and three daughters.
Initial shooting
The incident began around 11:30 a.m. in a strip center off Stella Link Road just inside the South Loop.
According to authorities, Davis was a passenger in a truck pulled over in the parking lot. When Vargas and his partner got out and told Davis to get out of the car, Davis opened fire and ran away from the scene. Vargas, who was shot in the head, was rushed to a Houston hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
Stallman described Vargas as a hero who protected the community by apprehending fugitive offenders.
“Jesse was a member, on behalf of our office, as part of the Gulf Coast Violent Offender Task Force. That’s what he did — was apprehending these violent offenders,” Stallman said. “Deputy Jesse Vargas was a hero serving our community, keeping our community safe, by apprehending fugitive offenders.”
The manhunt
The initial shooting sparked a manhunt that lasted nearly six hours.
A Blue Alert was issued for Davis around 2:20 p.m., and then around 5 p.m., U.S. Marshal K-9 Rocky alerted investigators to a dumpster near the original shooting scene. The dog alerted to the dumpster several times. A U.S. Marshal then released Rocky into the dumpster. That’s when HPD said Davis shot the dog at least twice.
Deputies with the Marshal Service returned fire, shooting and killing Davis in the dumpster. A deputy was hit in the arm in the shootout. He’s expected to be OK.
Investigators said the K-9 was rushed to an awaiting helicopter and taken to an area vet. The dog is expected to recover from its injuries.
Community in mourning
Stallman said the department has received an outpouring of support from the community as well as law enforcement agencies across the state in the wake of Vargas’ death.
“You know, we’ve had people reach out to us from everywhere,” Stallman said. “Sending their condolences and offering any kind of assistance or resources that they can.”
Stallman urged the community to keep the Vargas family and the law enforcement community in their thoughts and prayers as they mourn the tragic loss.