HOUSTON – A 27-year-old man charged in connection to the murder of Harris County Sheriff’s Deputy Fernando Esqueda in 2024 has been released from jail on bond.
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According to the Harris County Court records, Dremone Francis, who faces capital murder and tampering with evidence charges, posted a $1 million bond on Tuesday and was released from jail.
Court records dating back 10 years, show that Francis is the only defendant charged with the capital murder of a police officer who is out on bond.
When Francis was arrested, prosecutors filed paperwork to have him held without bond. That hearing didn’t happen within 10 days, as required, so after about three months passed, Francis’ defense attorney asked for a bond to be set. Legally, Judge Hilary Unger had to, and in November, she set bond at $500,000 on the capital murder charge.
The Harris County Deputies Organization FOP Lodge 39 released the following statement regarding Francis’ release:
The HCDO FOP 39 is outraged and appalled that Dremone Francis, a man charged with Capital Murder in the death of Deputy...
Posted by Harris County Deputies' Organization FOP Lodge 39 on Wednesday, February 26, 2025
The president of the Harris County Deputies’ Organization expressed his outrage on the situation.
“This is a horrible message to send to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office deputies, to deputy Esqueda’s family and on law enforcement officers out there. You know, the judge is saying that their lives and service means absolutely nothing,” said Jose Lopez. “Deputy Esqueda’s family deserves better, the Harris County deputies deserve better, and every law enforcement officer out there deserves better. The judge releasing this person on bond is making our streets of Harris County more dangerous and this is concerning not just to law enforcement, but also to all of the citizens of Harris County.”
Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez also released a statement on X.
This is an absolutely terrible message and the family of Deputy Esqueda should 100% be upset, which they are. https://t.co/PBAmZUEubh
— Ed Gonzalez (@SheriffEd_HCSO) February 26, 2025
“This is an absolutely terrible message and the family of Deputy Esqueda should 100% be upset, which they are,” Gonzalez said.
What happened?
In July 2024, 28-year-old Deputy Esqueda was shot to death while on duty patrolling the northeast side of Harris County.
Deputy Esqueda, along with other deputies, responded to a call about a man who had pistol-whipped a Little Ceasars employee over an incorrect order.
The suspect, 44-year-old Ronnie Palmer, left the restaurant as deputies arrived, but was followed by Esqueda who was working undercover.
When Palmer arrived at his second location, he and Esqueda got into a confrontation, resulting in Palmer opening fire.
When other deputies arrived, Esqueda’s patrol car was riddled with bullet holes, and he was critically injured. Esqueda was rushed to the hospital but died shortly after.
Court records say after Palmer shot Esqueda, he handed two guns to Francis and told him to get rid of them. Phone records from Francis showed he was texting trying to sell “hot” firearms.
Palmer currently does not have a bond that has been set. He’s due in court on Thursday, Feb. 27. He’s charged with two counts of aggravated assault in connection to the restaurant incident and capital murder for shooting Deputy Esqueda.