Texas Slain Peace Officers Honored, AUSTIN, May 14, 2008 - Twenty-five Texas law officers who have lost their lives while on duty during the past two years were honored May 13 during the annual DPS Memorial Service at the DPS Training Academy in Austin.
“We gathered in Austin to honor our law enforcement brothers and sisters who have given their lives while protecting Texas,” said Col. Thomas A. Davis Jr., director of the DPS. “Our most recent loss at DPS underscores how dangerous law enforcement can be as a profession. However, our officers are proud to serve the people of the state of Texas.”
Included in those honored were Tr. James Scott Burns, who was killed April 29 by a convicted felon during a traffic stop, and Tr. Todd Dylan Holmes, DPS Gilmer, who died in a traffic crash on March 14, 2007.
Texas peace officers killed feloniously in 2008:
Corporal Harry Thielepape, Harris County Constable’s Office-Pct. 6, injured during a felony arrest on Jan. 26, died Feb. 20.
Trooper James Scott Burns, Texas Dept. of Public Safety-Jefferson, shot and killed on April 29 during a traffic stop.
Texas peace officers who died while performing their duties in 2008:
Deputy Constable David Joubert, Harris Co. Constable’s Office-Pct. 7, died in a traffic crash Jan. 13;
Officer Matthew B. Thebeau, Corpus Christi PD, died in a traffic crash Jan. 20;
Senior Corporal Victor Lozada-Tirado, Dallas PD, died in a traffic crash Feb. 22.
Texas peace officers killed feloniously in 2007:
Game Warden Justin Hurst, Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept.-Wharton County, was shot and killed March 17 while attempting to apprehend an illegal hunting suspect;
Senior Corporal Mark Timothy Nix, Dallas PD, shot and killed on March 23 while attempting to apprehend a murder suspect;
Deputy Sheriff Tony Price Ogburn, Henderson Co SO, shot and killed on May 17 while attempting to break up a domestic disturbance;
Deputy Sheriff Paul Steven Habelt, Henderson Co SO, shot and killed on May 17 while attempting to break up a domestic disturbance;
Deputy Sheriff Michael Page, Bowie Co SO, killed on June 30 while attempting to apprehend hit and run suspect;
Corporal Arlie Jones, Odessa PD, shot and killed Sept. 8 while responding to a domestic disturbance;
Corporal John “Scott” Gardner, Odessa PD, shot and killed Sept. 8 while responding to a domestic disturbance;
Corporal Abel Marquez, Odessa PD, shot Sept. 8 while responding to a domestic disturbance, died on Sept. 12;
Detective Mario Moreno, San Antonio PD, killed Sept. 21 while attempting to serve arrest warrant.
Texas peace officers who died while performing their duties in 2007:
Deputy Sheriff Rahamy Mitchell, Fannin Co SO, killed Jan. 7 in a traffic crash;
Trooper Todd Dylan Holmes, Texas Dept. of Public Safety-Gilmer, killed March 14 in traffic crash;
Officer Andrew Esparza, Irving PD, killed April 13 in a traffic crash;
Officer Lisa Beaulieu, Beaumont PD, killed April 27 in a traffic crash;
Game Warden Teyran (Ty) Patterson, Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept.-Johnson County, drowned May 30 while trying to save a drowning victim;
Officer Jeff McCoy, Abilene PD, died June 5 in a traffic crash;
Officer Dayle Weston (Wes) Hardy, Plano PD, died July 7 in a traffic crash;
Officer David Camden, Temple PD, died Sept. 14 in a traffic crash;
Deputy Constable Jason Norling, Harris Co Constable’s Office-Pct. 5, died Oct. 1 when he was struck by a vehicle;
Investigator Dale Clint Sherrill, Marion Co SO, injured Oct. 17 in a traffic crash and died on Oct. 19;
Officer James Saavedra, Port of Corpus Christi PD, died Dec. 19 in an accidental shooting.
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