Houston Mayor John Whitmire posted to his social media accounts about Dr. Persse’s death.

HOUSTON — Dr. David Persse, who served as the city of Houston’s chief medical officer until his retirement earlier this year, has died.

According to a post on social media by the Houston Fire Department, Persse suffered a spinal injury while swimming off Hermosa Beach in California Saturday. HFD says he was pulled from the water in cardiac arrest. He was resuscitated bystanders, but according to the fire department, his injuries were too severe and he died. 



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Persse served the city as the top medical officer since 1996, leading Houston through major emergencies, ranging from hurricanes and tropical storms to the COVID-19 pandemic.

He retired in April at 66 years old. At the time, he spoke to KHOU 11’s Ron Treviño about his career and the city he served.

In that interview, Persse spoke of the pandemic, which he called the most difficult period of his tenure.

“Without a doubt, it was the pandemic,” Persse said. “It brought challenges none of us had foreseen.”

Over the years, Persse requently appeared in public health briefings, offering guidance on issues ranging from Fourth of July safety to heat stroke prevention and vaccination efforts.

During the pandemic, he also acknowledged the difficulty of maintaining public trust as health guidance became increasingly politicized.

“I do worry about the perceptions people in Houston have about vaccines,” he said. “We’re seeing it right now with measles. It’s a great predictor of what can happen when vaccine safety goes by the wayside.”

Persse said said he was proud of Houston’s ability to respond to major challenges despite financial constraints.

“We’ve been able to be first and leading edge in a number of things despite the budgetary problems that all municipalities have,” Persse said at the time. “The public expects us to be frugal and efficient.”

My thoughts and prayers are with Dr. David Persse’s family, friends, and colleagues as we mourn his passing. His compassion, steady leadership, and dedication to the health and safety of Houstonians will always be remembered. pic.twitter.com/sjIU9IXcC3

— Houston Mayor’s Office (@houmayor) September 28, 2026


Below is a statement by Mayor Whitmire.

“Houston has lost a tremendous public servant and a dedicated physician with the passing of Dr. David Persse.

“For nearly 30 years, Dr. Persse devoted himself to protecting the health and safety of Houstonians.

“He was a trusted leader through some of the most challenging moments our city faced, from major hurricanes and natural disasters to H1N1, Ebola, and COVID-19. Dr. Persse brought calm, expertise, and compassion to every public health challenge he faced.

“His service to Houston and the Houston Health Department made a lasting difference in the lives of countless people, and his legacy will continue to be felt throughout our community. I am grateful for his many years of service to our city and for the example he set for those who followed him.

“My thoughts and prayers are with Dr. Persse’s family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time. May he rest in peace.”

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