In February of 2006, the Tampa Police Department created the Cold Case Unit and Detective Eric Houston currently serves as one of the two detectives assigned to the new unit. In just 10 months on the Cold Case Unit Detective Houston has given closure for three grieving families for their previously unsolved murder cases. He has investigated 14 cold cases, which have included four arrests and during this past year has assisted with the investigation of 4 police shootings. Currently, he has leads in 4 unsolved cases.
Detective Houston’s first case was a 1983 murder of a Tampa teenager. For years, detectives tried to solve this case without success, but Detective Houston’s fresh look at the case led to an arrest. Tampa Police Detectives established a suspect in 1983, but were unable to locate her. When Detective Houston began interviewing witnesses again, he learned the suspect move to St. Petersburg in 2002. The suspect was arrested and charged with 2nd degree murder.
Detective Houston’s most recent arrest was another 1983 murder. In this case, the suspect was identified, but was never arrested. Detective Houston resubmitted blood evidence from the suspect’s vehicle and a match was made. The suspect was arrested and charged with 2nd degree murder.
Homicide investigators covering cold cases have an especially difficult job. Oftentimes trails have gone cold, evidence has degraded and these detectives are the only ones left to speak for the victims.
In February of 2006, the Tampa Police Department created the Cold Case Unit and Detective Eric Houston currently serves as one of the two detectives assigned to the new unit. In just 10 months on the Cold Case Unit Detective Houston has given closure for three grieving families for their previously unsolved murder cases. He has investigated 14 cold cases, which have included four arrests and during this past year has assisted with the investigation of 4 police shootings. Currently, he has leads in 4 unsolved cases.
Detective Houston’s first case was a 1983 murder of a Tampa teenager. For years, detectives tried to solve this case without success, but Detective Houston’s fresh look at the case led to an arrest. Tampa Police Detectives established a suspect in 1983, but were unable to locate her. When Detective Houston began interviewing witnesses again, he learned the suspect move to St. Petersburg in 2002. The suspect was arrested and charged with 2nd degree murder. 
