By Joanna Putman
Police1

HOUSTON — A Houston Police Department employee has died while driving to work as Hurricane Beryl caused flooding, KHOU reported.

Bystanders were unable to help the driver escape from the flaming vehicle because of the continuous explosions, St. Paul Police reported

The group threw several fireworks and Molotov cocktails at oncoming traffic before being detained by Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department deputies

The changes include “additional support” for the Downtown Public Safety Center, including police dogs, bicycle units and violence prevention officers

“You don’t often hear about everything a police officer does in the course of their shift, but I do, and this is an example of the Miami Township Way,” PD Chief Mike Mills said

Information Security Officer Russell Richardson, 54, died on July 8 after his car was submerged in floodwaters, Mayor John Whitmire announced during a news conference.

Richardson was on his way to work when he exited I-45 and encountered high water at an underpass, according to the report. He called his HPD colleagues for help, but they were unable to rescue him.

“We ask everyone to keep Russell’s family—his wife and children—and his co-workers and friends in your prayers,” Acting Police Chief Larry Satterwhite said in a post on social media.

During the news conference, Whitmire and other city leaders paused for a moment of silence to honor Richardson, according to the report.