HOUSTON – Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick issued the following statement today after news that Houston Fire Department Arson Investigator Lemuel Bruce was killed in the line of duty early this morning:

“Early this morning, a brave first responder with the Houston Fire Department was gunned down in the line of duty. Please join Jan and me in praying for his family, including his wife and two children, his friends, and the Houston Fire Department.

“As Texans, we know that law enforcement puts their lives on the line every day to keep our families and our communities safe. It is more important than ever that they have our support.”