A jury in a Texas district court sentenced a member of the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas to life in prison on November 16, 2007, for the fatal shooting of a police officer.

Stephen Lance Heard, 41, was convicted on November 13, 2007, of capital murder for killing a Fort Worth police officer in 2005.  

The fatal incident occurred when police attempted to serve a parole violation warrant on Heard at a mobile home.  Upon being discovered in a bedroom Heard shot the officer in the head.  Heard then fled through a window and took a female neighbor hostage before eventually surrendering.

During the trial prosecutors presented letters written by Heard while incarcerated in which he affirms his commitment to the racist prison gang Aryan Brotherhood of Texas.

Heard has prior convictions for forgery, unlawful use of a motor vehicle and drug possession.