HOUSTON, Texas — Capital murder charges have been filed against an accused sexual predator in the murder of Midland County Deputy Sheriff Michael Naylor. The charges were filed on Friday against Dan William Higgins, age 37 by the Midland County District Attorney’s Office. Deputy Naylor was killed while attempting to serve a warrant to the alleged sexual predator when he was shot in the head. He is the first deputy sheriff in Midland County to be killed in the line of duty.
Deputy Naylor was joined by other deputies on Thursday afternoon as they prepared to serve the warrant against Higgins. The warrant was related to an aggravated sexual assault which occurred in August, 2013 according to a article by Ry Druzin with the Midland Reporter-Telegram. Higgans allegedly shot the deputy in the head. Deputy Naylor was transported by helicopter to Midland Memorial Hospital where he died approximately two hours later.
Higgans barricaded himself in his home for three hours before being taken into custody. “I think we’re all just stunned,” Midland District Attorney Teresa Clingman said. “You always know it’s possible, but you never ever really expect it to happen.”
Midland County Chief Deputy Ed Krevit told the Reporter-Telegram that the group of deputies were serving a search warrant to an alleged child predator and sex offender when gunfire began and Deputy Naylor was struck. Naylor was mortally wounded and a second deputy was treated for stress related breathing difficulties.
After over three hours, Higgins surrendered without incident and was transported to the Midland County Jail where he is being held without bond.
Deputy Naylor also served as the commander of the Sheriff’s Departments Honor Guard. This team of deputies will now be tasked with honoring their commander at his funeral.
Texas Rangers are investigating the homicide of Deputy Naylor while members of the Midland Police Department investigate the standoff portion of the day’s events.
Deputy Naylor joined the Midland County Sheriff’s Office in 2004 as a jailer. He later worked his way up to sergeant in the jail and then went to the police academy before becoming a deputy sheriff according to Midland County Sheriff Gary Painter.
“He was one of those guys that you don’t have to worry about,” Painter said in an emotional, somber tone. “I’ve never had to worry about him doing anything wrong. He was just so kind to people and worked with people. It’s just a horrible, horrible day.”
Naylor is survived by his wife, Denise Naylor, and his mother, Mary Harmon.
Bob Price is a staff writer and a member of the original Breitbart Texas team. Follow him on Twitter @BobPriceBBTX.
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