Harris County DA’s office makes big decision in case of slain deputy Goforth

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Photo: James Nielsen, Chronicle

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Caption

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Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg stepped away from prosecuting the man charged with killing Harris County Deputy Darren Goforth.

Photo: James Nielsen, Chronicle

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Officer down

Harris County deputy Darren H. Goforth, 47, a 10-year department veteran was shot and killed at Chevron station at Telge and West roads. Officials say the deputy was shot from behind and died at the scene. less

Officer down

Photo: handout

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The suspect

Shannon Jaruay Miles is charged with shooting and killing Harris County Sheriff’s deputy Darren Goforth. District Attorney Kim Ogg stepped away from the case on Wednesday, April 5, 2017, saying she wanted to avoid any possible conflict of interest.

>>>Scroll through the gallery to see images of the memorial for Deputy Darren Goforth

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The suspect

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The community pays respect at a vigil in memory of Harris County Sheriff Deputy Darren Goforth after a Prayer March at the Chevron gas station, where he was killed, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2015, in Houston, Texas. Deputy Goforth was killed at a Cypress gas station on Telge and West Road where a vigil is held in his memory. less

Photo: Gary Coronado, Houston Chronicle

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Photo: Gary Coronado, Houston Chronicle

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Photo: Gary Coronado, Houston Chronicle

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A vigil in memory of Harris County Sheriff Deputy Darren Goforth at the Chevron gas station, where he was killed, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2015, in Houston, Texas. Deputy Goforth was killed at a Cypress gas station on Telge and West Road where a vigil is held in his memory. less

Photo: Gary Coronado, Houston Chronicle

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Harris County Sheriff Sgt. Sisto DeLeon, shown with wife June DeLeon, pay their respect for Harris County Sheriff Deputy Darren Goforth at the Chevron gas station Sunday, Aug. 30, 2015, in Houston, Texas. The West Houston Church of Christ held a prayer walk for Deputy Goforth who was killed at a Cypress gas station on Telge and West Road where a vigil is held in his memory. less

Photo: Gary Coronado, Houston Chronicle

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Robert Lamb, of Houston, with sign, along with others, pays his respect for Harris County Sheriff Deputy Darren Goforth at the Chevron gas station Sunday, Aug. 30, 2015, in Houston, Texas. The West Houston Church of Christ held a prayer walk for Deputy Goforth who was killed at a Cypress gas station on Telge and West Road where a vigil is held in his memory. less

Photo: Gary Coronado, Houston Chronicle

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Aimee Hunt, of Jersey Village, pays respect for Harris County Sheriff Deputy Darren Goforth at the Chevron gas station Sunday, Aug. 30, 2015, in Houston, Texas. The West Houston Church of Christ held a prayer walk for Deputy Goforth who was killed at a Cypress gas station on Telge and West Road where a vigil is held in his memory. less

Photo: Gary Coronado, Houston Chronicle

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Waller County Sheriff Chris Morgan, center, pays his respect for Harris County Sheriff Deputy Darren Goforth at the Chevron gas station Sunday, Aug. 30, 2015, in Houston, Texas. The West Houston Church of Christ held a prayer walk for Deputy Goforth who was killed at a Cypress gas station on Telge and West Road where a vigil is held in his memory. less

Photo: Gary Coronado, Houston Chronicle

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Community members come out for a Prayer Walk to pay respect for Harris County Sheriff Deputy Darren Goforth at the Chevron gas station Sunday, Aug. 30, 2015, in Houston, Texas. The West Houston Church of Christ held a prayer walk for Deputy Goforth who was killed at a Cypress gas station on Telge and West Road where a vigil is held in his memory. less

Photo: Gary Coronado, Houston Chronicle

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Community members come out to pay respect for Harris County Sheriff Deputy Darren Goforth at the Chevron gas station Sunday, Aug. 30, 2015, in Houston, Texas. The West Houston Church of Christ held a prayer walk for Deputy Goforth who was killed at a Cypress gas station on Telge and West Road where a vigil is held in his memory. less

Photo: Gary Coronado, Houston Chronicle

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Harris County Sheriffs use smart phones to capture a Prayer March for Harris County Sheriff Deputy Darren Goforth along West Rd. Sunday, Aug. 30, 2015, in Houston, Texas. Deputy Goforth was killed at a Cypress gas station on Telge and West Road where a vigil is held in his memory. The West Houston Church of Christ held a prayer walk for Deputy Goforth who was killed at a Cypress gas station on Telge and West Road where a vigil is held in his memory. less

Photo: Gary Coronado, Houston Chronicle

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Barry Wawak and wife Debra observe a Prayer March for Harris County Sheriff Deputy Darren Goforth along West Rd. Sunday, Aug. 30, 2015, in Houston, Texas. Deputy Goforth was killed at a Cypress gas station on Telge and West Road where a vigil is held in his memory. The West Houston Church of Christ held a prayer walk for Deputy Goforth who was killed at a Cypress gas station on Telge and West Road where a vigil is held in his memory. less

Photo: Gary Coronado, Houston Chronicle

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Kellise McLaurin, with children, Rilynn, 22-months, Payton, eight, and Emerson, six, observe a Prayer March for Harris County Sheriff Deputy Darren Goforth along West Rd. Sunday, Aug. 30, 2015, in Houston, Texas. Deputy Goforth was killed at a Cypress gas station on Telge and West Road where a vigil is held in his memory. The West Houston Church of Christ held a prayer walk for Deputy Goforth who was killed at a Cypress gas station on Telge and West Road where a vigil is held in his memory. less

Photo: Gary Coronado, Houston Chronicle

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A Prayer March for Harris County Sheriff Deputy Darren Goforth along West Rd. Sunday, Aug. 30, 2015, in Houston, Texas. Deputy Goforth was killed at a Cypress gas station on Telge and West Road where a vigil is held in his memory. The West Houston Church of Christ held a prayer walk for Deputy Goforth who was killed at a Cypress gas station on Telge and West Road where a vigil is held in his memory. less

Photo: Gary Coronado, Houston Chronicle

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A law enforcement officer stands next to a memorial at the Chevron station where Harris County Sheriff’s Deputy Darren Goforth was murdered, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2015, in Houston.

Photo: Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle

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Amy Lasko places an item at a memorial set up at the Chevron station where Harris County Sheriff’s Deputy Darren Goforth was murdered, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2015, in Houston. Lasko was one of a handful of organizers who set up a memorial service and a fundraiser for Goforth’s family. less

Photo: Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle

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Harris County Sheriff’s Deputies Dhaliwal, center left, and Dixon, center right, embrace at a memorial for Deputy Darren Goforth, at the Chevron where he was killed, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2015, in Houston. Deputy Dhaliwal was one of the first officers on the scene of the shooting. less

Photo: Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle

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Harris County Sheriff’s Deputies Dixon, right, hugs Deputy Dhaliwal, at a memorial for Deputy Darren Goforth, at the Chevron where he was killed, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2015, in Houston. Deputy Dhaliwal was one of the first officers on the scene of the shooting. less

Photo: Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle

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Harris County Sheriff’s Deputy Dhaliwal gets hugs from fellow deputies Seibert, left, Gunter, and Dixon, at a memorial for Deputy Darren Goforth, at the Chevron where he was killed, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2015, in Houston. Deputy Dhaliwal was one of the first deputies on the scene of the shooting. less

Photo: Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle

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Harris County Sheriff’s Deputy Dhaliwal gets a hug from Janet Waldrep at a memorial for Deputy Darren Goforth, at the Chevron where he was killed, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2015, in Houston. Deputy Dhaliwal was one of the first deputies on the scene of the shooting. less

Photo: Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle

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Houston Police officer Walding, left, talks with Harris County Sheriff’s Deputies next to a memorial at the Chevron station where Deputy Darren Goforth was murdered, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2015, in Houston.

Photo: Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle

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Bently Bryant, center, prays with her parents Casey, left, and Carrie at the Chevron station where Harris County Sheriff’s Deputy Darren Goforth was murdered, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2015, in Houston. “We wanted to pray for the family and all of the hardships they’ll face,” Casey Bryant said. less

Photo: Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle

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Houston Police Officer Walding stops by to pay his respects at a memorial for Harris County Sheriff’s Deputy Darren Goforth, at the Chevron station where he was murdered, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2015, in Houston. Officer Walding, who patrols Acres Homes, asked his supervisor for some time to pay his respects. “You can’t predict an ambush like that,” he said. less

Photo: Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle

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Photo: Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle

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Harris County Sheriff’s Deputy Dhaliwal, center, grieves with Deputies Dixon, left, and Seibert, right, at a memorial for Deputy Darren Goforth, at the Chevron where he was killed, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2015, in Houston. Deputy Dhaliwal was one of the first officers on the scene of the shooting. less

Photo: Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle

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Harris County Sheriff’s Deputy Dixon gets a hug from Jaime Partida, 8, who came with her family to show support for law enforcement officers at a memorial for Deputy Darren Goforth, at the Chevron where he was killed, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2015, in Houston. less

Photo: Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle

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Paula Dominguez, 6, sits in front of a memorial for Harris County Sheriff’s Deputy Darren Goforth, at the Chevron station where he was murdered, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2015, in Houston. “We live one block away and heard everything,” her mother Marilu said. “That’s the father of someone,” she said. less

Photo: Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle

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Theresa Tusa, kneeling, prays at a memorial for Harris County Sheriff’s Deputy Darren Goforth, at the Chevron station where he was murdered, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2015, in Houston.

Photo: Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle

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Ricky Perez-Majul, back center, prays with his neice Madison Reyes, left, 12, son Ricky Jr. 10, and daughter Nataly, right, 13, at a memorial for Harris County Sheriff’s Deputy Darren Goforth, at the Chevron station where he was murdered, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2015, in Houston. less

Photo: Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle

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Rylan Williams hugs her mother Jennifer at a memorial for Harris County Sheriff’s Deputy Darren Goforth, at the Chevron station where he was murdered, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2015, in Houston. “It’s been somewhat difficult to explain to this to my daughter,” Jennifer Williams said. less

Photo: Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle

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Mourners stand near a vigil for Harris County Sheriff’s Deputy Darren Goforth, at the Chevron station where he was murdered, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2015, in Houston.

Photo: Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle

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Kalyn WIlliams places an item at a memorial for Harris County Sheriff’s Deputy Darren Goforth, at the Chevron station where he was murdered, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2015, in Houston.

Photo: Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle

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An ever growing memorial during a vigil held at the Chevron station on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015, where Harris County deputy Darren Goforth was shot and killed last night while he was refueling his vehicle. Goforth was a 10-year veteran with the HSCO department. less

Photo: Karen Warren, Houston Chronicle

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Harris County District 5 deputies hug and look at a growing memorial during a vigil held at the Chevron station on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015, where Harris County deputy Darren Goforth was shot and killed last night while he was refueling his vehicle. less

Photo: Karen Warren, Houston Chronicle

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Lauri Kamminga, left, hugs Cleveland Police officer Erica Fleming during a vigil held at the Chevron station on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015, where Harris County deputy Darren Goforth was shot and killed last night while he was refueling his vehicle. less

Photo: Karen Warren, Houston Chronicle

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Deanna Skoglund holds a sign saying “police lives matter” during a vigil held at the Chevron station on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015, where Harris County deputy Darren Goforth was shot and killed last night while he was refueling his vehicle. less

Photo: Karen Warren, Houston Chronicle

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A large crowd gathered during a vigil held at the Chevron station on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015, where Harris County deputy Darren Goforth was shot and killed last night while he was refueling his vehicle.

Photo: Karen Warren, Houston Chronicle

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Charlotte Baker holds her daughter Kayla Baker, 5, during a vigil held at the Chevron station on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015, where Harris County deputy Darren Goforth was shot and killed last night while he was refueling his vehicle. less

Photo: Karen Warren, Houston Chronicle

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Dalia Perez holds a sign in the large crowd during a vigil held at the Chevron station on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015, where Harris County deputy Darren Goforth was shot and killed last night while he was refueling his vehicle. less

Photo: Karen Warren, Houston Chronicle

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Luis, an employee with Chevron, holds a photo of officer Darren Goforth during a vigil held at the Chevron station on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015, where Harris County deputy Goforth was shot and killed last night while he was refueling his vehicle. less

Photo: Karen Warren, Houston Chronicle

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A Harris County Sheriffs deputy wears a blue ribbon during a vigil held at the Chevron station on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015, where Harris County deputy Darren Goforth was shot and killed last night while he was refueling his vehicle. less

Photo: Karen Warren, Houston Chronicle

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Two men hug during a vigil held at the Chevron station on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015, where Harris County deputy Darren Goforth was shot and killed last night while he was refueling his vehicle.

Photo: Karen Warren, Houston Chronicle

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A Harris County Sheriffs deputy gets a blue ribbon pinned to him during a vigil held at the Chevron station on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015, where Harris County deputy Darren Goforth was shot and killed last night while he was refueling his vehicle. less

Photo: Karen Warren, Houston Chronicle

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Blue ribbons were handed out during a vigil held at the Chevron station on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015, where Harris County deputy Darren Goforth was shot and killed last night while he was refueling his vehicle.

Photo: Karen Warren, Houston Chronicle

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Deputy D. Murrel gets a blue ribbon pined to his uniform during a vigil held at the Chevron station on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015, where Harris County deputy Darren Goforth was shot and killed last night while he was refueling his vehicle. less

Photo: Karen Warren, Houston Chronicle

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A woman wipes tears at the site of a growing memorial before a vigil held at the Chevron station on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015, where Harris County deputy Darren Goforth was shot and killed last night while he was refueling his vehicle. less

Photo: Karen Warren, Houston Chronicle

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A growing memorial during a vigil held at the Chevron station on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015, where Harris County deputy Darren Goforth was shot and killed last night while he was refueling his vehicle.

Photo: Karen Warren, Houston Chronicle

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Ava Lopez, 8, holds a card that she made for officer Darren Goforth during a vigil held at the Chevron station on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015, where the Harris County deputy Goforth was shot and killed last night while he was refueling his vehicle. less

Photo: Karen Warren, Houston Chronicle

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People pay their respects at a makeshift memorial at the gas pump of a Chevron gas station where a Harris County Sheriff Department Deputy was shot and killed Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015, in Houston.

Photo: James Nielsen, Houston Chronicle

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A man sheds tears at a makeshift memorial at the gas pump of a Chevron gas station where a Harris County Sheriff Department Deputy was shot and killed Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015, in Houston.

Photo: James Nielsen, Houston Chronicle

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A man is comforted as he sheds tears at a makeshift memorial at the gas pump of a Chevron gas station where a Harris County Sheriff Department Deputy was shot and killed Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015, in Houston.

Photo: James Nielsen, Houston Chronicle

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People pay their respects at a makeshift memorial at the gas pump of a Chevron gas station where a Harris County Sheriff Department Deputy was shot and killed Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015, in Houston.

Photo: James Nielsen, Houston Chronicle

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Kelli Maynard and her son Brandon, 11, mourn at a memorial for Deputy Darren Goforth, at the Chevron where he was killed, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2015, in Houston.

Photo: Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle

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