In a very Houston kind of roadside surprise, two Harris County Sheriff's Office deputies spent part of Thursday coaxing an alligator out from under a pickup truck on Sheldon Ridge Way in northeast Houston. The animal was eventually loaded into a patrol vehicle and released into nearby Sheldon Reservoir, according to the agency. No injuries were reported.
See you later, alligator… hopefully not too soon! 😂
— Harris County Sheriff's Office (@HCSOTexas) July 9, 2026
According to a post from the Harris County Sheriff's Office on X, Deputies M. Peavler and K. Loera responded to the call and pulled the reptile out from under the truck. The post notes that the pair then transported the gator in a patrol vehicle and released it at Sheldon Reservoir, with the agency signing off the update with a cheeky “see you later, alligator” line.
What to do if you spot an alligator
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department notes that alligators are native to East Texas and that most sightings involve non‑aggressive animals. The agency advises residents to keep at least 30 feet away, never feed or try to move a gator, and to report nuisance animals to TPWD's regional offices. For more safety details, see Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
Why officers often use nearby reservoirs
Relocating roaming alligators to places like Sheldon Reservoir is a practice local authorities have used in the past when animals can be moved safely rather than destroyed. The Houston Chronicle has documented multiple Houston‑area captures and past relocations to Sheldon Reservoir and other nearby water bodies.
If you encounter a potentially dangerous alligator, call 911 immediately; for non‑emergencies the Harris County Sheriff's Office lists its non‑emergency number as (713) 221‑6000. The sheriff's office also posts updates and safety reminders on its social channels, including the post about this rescue. Agency contact details are available on the Harris County Sheriff's Office website.
