Houston police sergeant charged with murder in wife's death

HOUSTON (FOX 26) - Hilario Hernandez, a sergeant with the Houston Police Department, is being held on a murder charge at the Kleberg County jail. He remains in custody and there will be no hearing until the case goes to Grand Jury.

Hernandez was arrested in Kingsville on Saturday night. Police have not confirmed what brought him to that area, but he is being extradited to Brazoria County.

Officer Hilario Hernandez has 33 years of service with HPD and was assigned to the burglary and theft division.  The Houston Police Department offers their condolences to the victim's family.

Pearland ISD released this statement on Sunday:

Pearland ISD is deeply saddened to learn of the death of one of our employees, Shadycrest Elementary Librarian Belinda Hernandez.   Mrs. Hernandez was a beloved, longtime employee who worked for Pearland ISD for 15 years.   Pearland ISD will provide counselors for students and staff for as long as needed.    For the privacy of the family, this is the only information that will be shared by Pearland ISD at this time.

On Friday evening in Pearland, neighbors reported sounds of shots being fired.

Hernandez allegedly shot and killed his wife at their Canyon Creek home in Pearland, Texas. A family member discovered the victim's body in the kitchen, having gone to the house to check on her after not being able to reach her on the phone.

Police have not released how long the victim had been dead.

Neighbors observed that Hernandez and his wife seemed like a normal married couple. However, Rodney Sharp, another neighbor, noticed something deeper going on.

"They've had domestic problems in the past, I don't think the police were ever called. There had been some arguments out in front [of the house]," Sharp said. 

In an earlier update, Pearland released the following statement:

"The investigation has led to an arrest warrant having been issued for Hilario Hernandez 05/29/62​ for the offense of Murder Felony-1.  Mr. Hernandez has subsequently been arrested by the Kingsville Police Department and the Department of Public Safety in Kingsville, Texas.  The investigation revealed Mr. Hernandez has been employed as a Sergeant with the Houston Police Department and the Houston Police Department has cooperated with the investigation.  This investigation is ongoing."

On Saturday evening, Pearland released the following statement:

"On March 23, 2019, at approximately 12:01 PM, Pearland Police Units responded to a residence located in the 1900 block of Canyon Creek Court.  A reportee contacted the Police Department after locating a deceased family member inside of the residence.  The Pearland Criminal Investigative Division is on scene and is actively investigating the case."