Edd Williams was a Polk Countian and was killed in January of 1974 where he was a Harris County Sheriff's Deputy.
Officers Take Time to Remember Fallen Comrade, GOODRICH, October 14, 2022 - Shortly before 12 noon on January 12, 1974, Deputy Edd Williams, with the Harris County Sheriff's Office was working an extra job in law enforcement at an apartment complex (800 block of Victoria in Houston). On this particular day, the manager's office was collecting rent from the tenants. Williams, was in plain clothes, but still had his badge when two men walked in and inquired about possibly renting an apartment. The men pulled out guns and forced the manager and Williams into an adjoining room. They took the manager's money that he had been collecting from renters, they also took his wallet. The other suspect searched Williams. Williams had been ordered into a kneeling position with his hands on the bed. As the suspect was searching Williams, he spotted Williams' badge. Williams lunged upward from the kneeling position. The suspect shot Williams in the chin. Williams fell to the floor where he remained until the suspects left. After they left, Williams got up, walked into the bathroom for a moment, then left the building to the parking lot to look for the suspects. Meanwhile, the manager came outside, spotted a cab, and ordered the cab to take Williams to Parkway Hospital. Williams walked into the emergency room. They immediately rushed him into surgery where he died 40 minutes later. After the bullet stuck Williams in the chin, it traveled upwards and was lodged in his brain. the man who murdered Williams was never caught. The case had been reopened and has cold case detectives working to hopefully solve the crime. Deputy Williams was born and raised in Polk County. His son, Yancy Williams, became a US Marine. After the Marines, Yancy returned to Livingston, started his own family, and also became a Volunteer Fireman for the Livingston Fire Department. Sadly, in 2021, Yancy contracted covid 19 and passed away.
The purpose for the morning gathering was to honor Edd Williams. Recently, retired officer, Burt Sims, spotted Williams' grave (located at Victory Place Beautiful Cemetery located at FM-1988 and FM-3278). The grave was neglected, the land around the grave was eroding, and the picture (in stone) of Edd Williams had been defaced. Sims had established an organization, Blue Remembrance, to keep up the graves of fallen and passed officers in an effort to never forget them. Sims enlisted help from Sergeant Rob Thomas with the Polk County Sheriff's Office, and who works in the business of headstones, services, and proper upkeep of burial sites. Together, they were able to totally restore Williams' grave, restore the picture, and have a service so that we don't forget our fallen officers. Among other elected officials in attendance were Judge Sydney Murphy, Sheriff Byron Lyons ad Constable Darwon Evans, as well as some family members of Edd Williams, and Polk County and Harris County law enforcement officers. Please enjoy the video and pictures below.
Retired Officer, Burt Sims, established Blue Remembrance. An organization that seeks to remember fallen officers, ensure their graves are not left in disrepair, and to honor their memory.
Edd Williams' niece, Sharon Eldridge, spoke at the gathering.
The memorial service was headed up by Polk County Sheriff, Byron Lyons.
Livingston Fire Chief, Corky Cochran, knew Edd Williams, and his son, Yancy. Cochran addressed the gathering.
A flag that was flown over the Nation's Capitol in Edd Williams' honor was presented by Congressman Brian Babin's Office.
Sergeant Rob Thomas was instrumental in the restoration of Williams' grave site.
If you would like to comment on this story, we'd love to hear from you. Email us at pctletters@gmail.com. Be sure to include the story subject in the subject line of your email, also list your name and town in your letter. Your letter will be posted in Letters to the Editor.
