$20,000 reward to find who shot deputy constable

In an effort to identify the person who shot a Harris County Precinct 7 deputy constable in what has been described as an "ambush," the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Houston Police Department homicide division and Crime Stoppers of Houston are offering a reward of up to $20,000 for information that leads to an arrest.

Deputy Constable Alden Clopton was shot six times at around 11:17 p.m. on April 13 while helping another law enforcement officer outside a business on Alabama Street in southeast Houston. At the time, Deputy Clopton was standing outside the opened passenger side door of a patrol car. Someone approached Deputy Clopton from behind and fired several gunshots to the back.

Surveillance videos show the suspect carrying a rifle and running north along a bike trail past Holman Street.

As part of the Office of the Governor and Texas Crime Stopper's Fallen Hero Reward - Texas Remembers program, a reward up to $10,000 is being offered in addition to the existing Crime Stoppers of Houston reward of up to $10,000 through its Fallen Hero Project. Anyone who provides information in the case can remain anonymous.

"The attack on Deputy Alden Clopton is an unconscionable crime that will not be tolerated in Texas," said Texas Governon Greg Abbott in a statement released on Tuesday by Texas DPS. "I know local authorities are working tirelessly to ensure justice in this case, and hopefully this reward offering will assist in those efforts. This crime reminds us that law enforcement officers risk their lives every day to serve and protect our communities, and they deserve our utmost gratitude and respect."

"We are appalled by the cowardly shooting of Deputy Clopton and consider this an attack on all Texans," said Texas DPS Director Steven McCraw. "Our thoughts and prayers remain with Deputy Clopton and his family as he continues to recover, and we urge anyone with information related to this ongoing investigation to come forward to help us as we seek justice in this case."

Deputy Clopton was recently released from the hospital and his family is requesting help from the community to find the person responsible for the attempted murder.

Anyone with information about the case is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers of Houston by phone at 713-222-8477 (TIPS), online by visiting https://www.tipsubmit.com/WebTips.aspx?AgencyID=610, by text message by sending TIP610 and the information to 274637 (CRIMES) or with the Houston Crime Stoppers in the Apple App Store, the Google Play Store and the Blackberry App World.