Houston sergeant was shot and killed while responding to a call for help on the way to work

A Houston police sergeant with 25 years of service was killed in the line of duty on Monday after responding to a call for help, authorities said.

Sgt. Sean Rios, 47, was on his way to his shift at the airport when he responded to a call for shots, Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo told reporters.

At the scene of the shooting, Rios engaged in a shootout with a suspect on the highway around 1:30 p.m., according to Acevedo.

It is not known what happened before the shooting, but Acevedo said Rios was injured during the exchange. Rios fled to a nearby motel, where he collapsed and died, Acevedo said.

Acevedo said officers are still looking for the suspect involved in the incident.

“We’re going to catch you,” Acevedo said. “Do yourself a favor and date.”

Acevedo said the Houston Police Department was heartbroken by his death and offered condolences to Rios’ family.

“We will never forget him and will see his 4 children, his family and his friends go through this painful loss,” he said on Twitter Monday.

Rios’ death was the fourth death in the line of duty for the police department since December, NBC affiliate KPRC 2 reported.

Last month, a 65-year-old Houston police sergeant was killed after investigating a report of “trouble” and was shot and killed, police said.