Left to right -
Tom Hamilton - Chapter Chairman,
Deputy Vernon W. Mathews
Charles Andrews, CFE
Jeanny Mathews -  Mother
Loma Mathews - Wife
Rachel Mathews - Sister

On Thursday, October 30, 2009, at approximately 6:30 PM, Dr. Stephanie Wuest, 28, after shopping, was in the parking lot of the Kroger’s Store at Old Spanish Trail @ Cambridge. A suspect, later identified as Anthony Jerome Bell, 40, approached her next to her vehicle in an attempt to rob Dr. Wuest. A struggle ensued before Bell pulled a pistol and shot Wuest several times, including once in the neck.

Harris County Precinct 6 deputy constable Vernon Matthews, who was working off-duty security at the store, was alerted and directed to the scene by witnesses. Matthews arrived and was quickly able to arrest Bell without incident and hold him until on-duty Houston Police officers arrived. Bell was charged with attempted capital murder and remains held without bond in Harris County Jail. Bell has a criminal history dating back to 1989.
Dr. Wuest was transported to Ben Taub Hospital emergency room in critical condition, but later recovered and is listed in stable condition, recovering from the incident. She is a doctor at Ben Taub Hospital and a first-year medical resident at Baylor College of Medicine.

Deputy Matthews is a former public school teacher and has been a full-time deputy with Precinct 6 under Constable Victor Trevino for four years.

Deputy Mathews’ alertness, as well as his quick and decisive actions, was key in effecting the arrest of an armed suspect during the commission of a felony. His courageous actions reflect highly upon his department and the law enforcement profession, and are worthy of recognition.