MARCH 2025. Blues Vol 41 No.3

GUEST COMENTARYJudge

GUEST COMENTARYJudge Hilary's Unforgivable Betrayal ofPublic Safety, Not an Isolated CaseThe Houston Police Officers’Union stands with our brothersand sisters at the HarrisCounty Sheriff’s Office in absoluteoutrage over Judge HilaryUnger’s indefensible decision toset bond for Dremone Francis,a man charged with the capitalmurder of Deputy FernandoEsqueda. This is not just a caseof judicial incompetence—it isa disgraceful betrayal of publictrust and a direct threat to everylaw-abiding citizen in HarrisCounty.Let’s be crystal clear: Franciswas not just some low-leveloffender - he was an activeparticipant in the cold-bloodedambush and execution of a lawenforcement officer. He and hisco-defendant, Ronnie Palmer,gunned down Deputy Esquedawhile he sat in an unmarkedpolice car conducting surveillance.Investigators recovered41 spent shell casings from thescene. If this case doesn’t warranta no-bond decision, thenwhat does?The facts of this case makeJudge Unger’s decision evenmore appalling:• Francis has a criminal history,including a past convictionrelated to the manufacture anddelivery of drugs. In 2022, hisprobation was unsatisfactorilyterminated, meaning he hadalready failed to comply withthe justice system before beingcharged with capital murder.• His co-defendant, Palmer,remains in jail without bond.Why is one accused cop killerlocked up while the other is freeto roam the streets? The logicbehind this decision is nonexistent.• Prosecutors had previouslyrequested a no-bond hold -which Unger ignored. Instead,she chose to set bail at 0kfor Capital Murder and 0kfor Tampering with Evidence,making it possible for Francis towalk free while Deputy Esqueda’sfamily is left grieving withno justice in sight.Since 2021, there have been162 homicides in Harris Countywhere the suspect was out onbond at the time of the murder.How many more lives must belost before activist judges likeUnger stop gambling with publicsafety?This is not an isolated case.Judge Unger has a history ofprioritizing criminals over victims,undermining law enforcement,and making our streetsmore dangerous. And let’s notforget - she is up for re-electionin 2026. If we don’t stop judgeslike her now, we will continueto see repeat offenders andviolent criminals emboldenedby a system that refuses to holdthem accountable.This is not just about onecase. It’s about a broader, systemicfailure that has turnedHarris County into a nationalexample of what happens whenrogue judges put ideology overjustice. The release of a capitalmurder suspect - especially onecharged with killing a law enforcementofficer - is a slap inthe face to every deputy, policeofficer, and citizen who believesin the rule of law.We Will Not Forget This.The Houston Police Officers’Union will not stay silent. Wewill fight alongside the HarrisCounty Deputies’ Organization(FOP 39) to demand real bailreform and judicial accountability.We will make sure thatJudge Hilary Unger’s name isremembered for this recklessdecision, and we will make surethe people of Harris County neverforget it either.Deputy Fernando Esquedadeserved better. His familydeserved better. The people ofHarris County deserved better.And we will not stop fightinguntil justice is served.16 The BLUES - MARCH ‘25

Starting Police Aviation?We can help every step of the way.Starting a new police aviation unit can be daunting. With the right partner it doesn’t have to be.Bell has been a proud partner for over 75 years with hundreds of police aviation units around theworld, including new police aviation units yearly. Bell understands that the road to policing’sgreatest force multiplier resource includes a strong focus that goes well beyond the acquisitionof a helicopter. Bell provides full SME consultation to assist agencies in their new start-upendeavors and ultimately deliver higher apprehension rates, greater officer safety and greaterpublic safety as a whole. From reduced cost strategies, to safety concerns, to operationalintegration, Bell stands alone in its unwavering commitment to airborne policing partnerships.Visit bell.co/publicsafety to download our law enforcement aviation case study and to hearfrom our customers.The BLUES - MARCH ‘25 17