HOUSTON – A Houston police officer who was previously fired over a violent 2019 arrest has returned to the force with substantial back pay, earning nearly a quarter-million dollars last year — more than the police chief himself.

Officer Lucas Vieira earned approximately $40,000 more than former Police Chief Troy Finner last year, following his reinstatement to the Houston Police Department. The reinstatement came after his termination was overturned, in part, on procedural grounds.

The officer’s return to duty stems from a controversial July 7, 2019 traffic stop incident captured on body camera footage. During the incident, Vieira was recorded instructing another officer to shoot a handcuffed suspect who was attempting to flee. The suspect, 33-year-old Aundre Howard, had been initially

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