[TX] Officer Caran Coward killed in husband's murder-suicide

..."There were some problems along the way, but nobody expected this to happen," Polk County Sheriff Kenneth Hammack said... There had been some family or marital problems and that’s all I know at this time”... One of the couple's three children, who was inside the home during the shooting, called 911 to report finding their father in a pool of blood, Hammack said, and he added that police believe the weapon was a shotgun...

Livingston Officer Killed
KTRE, TX
by Tashun Chism
04/28/08
Flags all over Livingston are flying at half staff today in honor of Caran Coward, the Livingston police officer who was found dead over the weekend... Polk County Sheriff's Department officials say Officer Coward was on duty Saturday night when she got a call from her husband, Randy Coward. Both she and her husband were found dead outside her Polk County home. Authotirities believe officer Coward's husband killed her with a shot gun and then turned the gun on himself. They say the couple was going through a divorce. "There were some problems along the way, but nobody expected this to happen," Polk County Sheriff Kenneth Hammack said... Coward is remembered as a good officer and an even better person. Fellow law enforcement officers know danger comes with the job, but knowing her death could have been a result of domestic violence makes it even harder for them to deal with. "It brings us back to reality to start with to show that police are just other citizens within the county and the city that we're not immune to domestic violence," Sheriff Hammack told us. Caran Coward leaves behind three children. If you would like to make a donation to help officer coward's family, please contact the Livingston Police Department or the First National Bank in Livingston. [Full article here]
Colleagues recall slain Livingston officer's dedication Detectives believe Caran Renee Coward was slain by her husband who then took his own life
Houston Chronicle
By Mike Glenn and Anita Hassan
April 27, 2008
As Polk County sheriff's detectives continued their investigation into the death of Livingston police officer Caran Renee Coward, apparently slain by her husband who then took his own life, her colleagues on Sunday said she was a dedicated officer who had a strong, unwavering bond with her community. "She was just real good with the public. She was real caring," said Mike deVilleneuve, who recently retired after spending more than 30 years as a Livingston police officer. Coward had been on the force for about three years and was the only female officer in the close-knit department. "She did the best job she could. She was always willing to learn more," deVilleneuve recalled... Randy Phillip Coward, 43, was also found dead from a gunshot wound. Coward, 39, was found about 8 p.m. Saturday in a travel trailer outside her home in the 300 block of Knob Hill, about 75 miles north of downtown Houston... One of the couple's three children, who was inside the home during the shooting, called 911 to report finding their father in a pool of blood, Hammack said, and he added that police believe the weapon was a shotgun. Coward was on duty when she was killed... Valerie Reddell, a friend of Caran Coward's, said she was unaware of any problems the couple was having. Reddell, also the Polk County Enterprise editor, said Randy Coward was a musician and a Christian Country Music Association award winner. She said he did construction work on the side. The last time they spoke, Caran Coward told Reddell that her husband had broken his foot on a construction job and that the injury had affected his ability to earn a living both in music and construction, prompting her to take on extra police assignments... Reddell said she'll remember Caran Coward for always treating people with respect. "She was courteous and kind to everybody," she said. "She is a shining example of everything a woman officer brings to law enforcement".... [Full article here]
On Duty Officer Murdered by Husband During Domestic Dispute
Houston Chronicle
April 28, 2008
... Authorities said they think she was killed by her husband, Randy Phillip Coward, 43, who was also found dead from a gunshot wound in the trailer. One of the couple’s three children, who was inside the home during the shooting, called 911 to report finding their father in a pool of blood, Hammack said, and he added that police believe the weapon was a shotgun.... "I'm not sure why she went home at this time... There had been some family or marital problems and that’s all I know at this time,” [Polk County Sheriff Kenneth] Hammack said... The three children – two boys and a girl – are being taken to their grandmother’s home. [Full article here]