Officer Richard Houston II
Memorial Scholarship
The Officer Richard Houston II Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually to a Mesquite Independent School District Student enrolled in the districts Law Enforcement Program.
Richard Lee Houston II was hired as a Mesquite Police Officer on January 8, 2001. He graduated from Session 153 of the Basic Course in Applied Police Science and was named Valedictorian of his class. His assignments included serving in the Operations Bureau as a Patrol Officer, on the SWAT Team for more than 10 years, and in Criminal Investigations handling Burglary and Theft, Homeland Security, and Juvenile/Gang cases. Officer Houston earned a Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Master Peace Officer License and Instructor Proficiency Certificate.
His recognitions during his Mesquite Police Department career include:
48 Letters of Commendation
2 Life Saving Awards
1 Police Commendation Bar
Citizens Police Academy Officer of the Month Award in August 2018
The Scholarship Program was created in 2023 when Stephanie Heras was awarded the inaugural award. Stephanie is pictured to the left with Officer Houston’s wife, Shelley.
