His department of 36 is rallying around him and his family.

SOUTH HOUSTON, Texas — A South Houston police officer is recovering after being shot in the head by a suspect wielding a shotgun during a traffic stop last month, sending shockwaves through the small, tight-knit department.

Officer Aaron Botello miraculously survived the shooting and was released from the hospital just one week later, though his recovery is expected to be lengthy. The incident has rallied his fellow officers, department members and union representatives around Botello and his family.



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“Nobody wants to get that call,” Detective Cedric Rodriguez said. “To get that call is probably the worst thing in law enforcement.”

Botello was released from the hospital about a week after the shooting, but colleagues say his recovery is ongoing.

“He’s got a long road ahead of him,” detective Rodriguez said. “Thank God he’s in great spirits. We just saw him yesterday.”

Detective Aaron Badillo said the outcome could have been far worse.

“It’s so much better to have him here with us than to be mourning the loss of his life,” Badillo said.

The shooting has brought the department’s roughly three dozen members closer together as they support Botello and his family.

“You see each other every day, but you don’t really see how close you can be until you have an incident like this,” detective Badillo said.

The department and union representatives have organized several efforts to help ease the burden on Botello’s family, including an online fundraiser and upcoming community events.

A barbecue fundraiser is scheduled for April 18 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 1000 Houston Blvd in South Houston. A second event — a barbecue fundraiser with a silent auction and 50/50 raffle — is planned for June 6 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Hometown Sports Bar and Grill in Pearland.

Organizers say the goal is to reduce financial stress so Botello can focus on his recovery.

“That kind of helps take a little bit of stress off another area of life where he can just focus on his recovery,” a detective said.

As officers return to their duties, they say Botello remains on their minds.

“In the back of my mind, I’m hoping that my brother is good and that he’s going to be OK,” detective Badillo said.


Fundraiser by South Houston Police Officers’ Association

For more information on how to help Officer Botello and his family, click here.