In Memoriam 2022

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Texas Police Athletic Federation
Executive Assistant
Sherlie Ann Sowell
Lubbock, Texas

End of Watch: Monday, December 19, 2022

Sherlie Sowell, wife of Ronnie Sowell, passed away peacefully on Monday December 19, 2022. Sherlie served on the Board of Directors as an Executive Assistant from 1984- 2012 when both she and Ronnie resigned due to health reasons. Both Sherlie and Ronnie were great ambassadors for the Texas Police Athletic Federation and were instrumental in promoting the Texas Police Games. Sherlie was always encouraging all competitors to never give up and to keep trying to reach their goals.
Sherlie enjoyed spending time with her family, bowling, playing soccer and softball.
Sherlie leaves behind her husband of 55 years, Ronnie, a daughter, a son, granddaughter, grandson, 4 great grandchildren a brother and a sister.

Border Patrol Agent
Raul Humberto Gonzalez, Jr.
U. S. Dept. of Homeland Security
Customs and Border Protection
McAllen, Texas

End of Watch: Wednesday, December 7, 2022

Border Patrol Agent Raul Gonzalez passed away from injuries sustained in an ATV accident while pursuing subjects illegally crossing the border near Mission at 1:00 am.

Agent Gonzalez was traveling at high speed when he crashed. He was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

Agent Gonzalez had served with the United States Department of Homeland Security – Customs and Border Protection – United States Border Patrol for over ten years and was assigned to the Rio Grande Valley Sector McAllen Station. He is survived by his son, daughter, father, brother, grandmother, girlfriend, aunts, and uncles

Police Officer
Brandon Tsai
Grand Prairie Police Department, Texas

End of Watch: Monday, November 14, 2022

Police Officer Brandon Tsai was killed in a vehicle crash while pursuing a vehicle with a fraudulent temporary tag at about 10:45 pm.

The vehicle fled when Officer Tsai attempted to stop it at the intersection of SW 3rd Street and Pioneer Parkway. Officer Tsai and another officer pursued the vehicle for approximately five miles until it slowed suddenly to turn. Officer Tsai’s patrol car made contact with the patrol car in front of him as they both attempted to slow down as well. The impact caused Officer Tsai’s patrol car to turn on its side and strike a utility pole.

Officer Tsai was transported to Methodist Dallas Medical Center where he succumbed to his injuries.

The vehicle he was pursuing continued to flee but the driver was arrested two days later.

Officer Tsai had served with the Grand Prairie Police Department for 11 months and had previously served with the Los Angeles Police Department, California, for five years.

Patrol Officer
Steve Nothem
Carrollton Police Department, Texas

End of Watch: Tuesday, October 18, 2022

Police Officer Steve Nothem was struck and killed by a vehicle while assisting another officer with a DUI investigation at the westbound lanes of President George Bush Turnpike in Plano at 10:24 pm.

The driver of the vehicle was killed instantly. Officer Nothem was transported to the Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Plano where he succumbed to his injuries.

Officer Nothem was a United States Marine Corps veteran who had served with the Carrollton Police Department for three years and previously served with Grand Chute Police Department in Wisconsin for four years. He is survived by his wife and four kids.

Senior Patrol Officer
Tony Martin
Austin Police Department, Texas

End of Watch: Friday, September 23, 2022

Senior Patrol Officer Tony Martin was killed in a motorcycle crash at the intersection of State Highway 29 and RM 1869 in Liberty Hill at 6 am.

Officer Martin was traveling westbound on State Highway 26 when a vehicle traveling eastbound attempted to turn left and struck the police motorcycle. Officer Martin died at the scene.

Officer Martin was a United States Air Force Security Forces veteran and had served with the Austin Police Department for 15 years. He is survived by his wife, son, two daughters, granddaughter, and parents.

Correctional Officer III
Kaitlyn Ritnour
Texas Department Of Criminal Justice,
Hondo, Texas

End of Watch: Saturday, September 3, 2022

Correctional Officer III Kaitlyn Ritnour was killed in a vehicle crash while leaving the Ruben M. Torres Unit at 125 Private Road 4303 in Hondo.

She had worked an assignment at the Torres Unit and was returning to her regular duty station at the Briscoe Unit when her car was struck by an oncoming vehicle as she merged into traffic. She succumbed to her injuries at the scene.

Officer Ritnour had served with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice – Correctional Institutions Division for five months and was assigned to the Brisco Unit. She is survived by her mother, father, sister, grandparents, and fiancé.

Police Officer
Justin Michael Garcia
San Antonio Police Department, Texas

End of Watch: Monday, August 22, 2022

San Antonio – Justin Michael Garcia, 30, went to his eternal home with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Monday, August 22, 2022, in San Antonio.

Justin will always be remembered for his love of life, his smile and laughter. He would light up any room he walked into. He was an amazing athlete through his high school years and continued throughout his career. God blessed him with a big heart and passion for helping others. Justin was an excellent police officer where he started at Port Isabel PD in 2015 and continued with San Antonio Police Dept in 2016. Justin had a love for serving his city and he served it proudly. Though he touched many lives and will be truly missed by many, the most important to him were his wife and children. Justin met Janelle in 2016 and their love grew as time went by. They raised two wonderful kids together, Kayliee and X’avier, who he loved immensely.
Justin competed in the Texas Police Games in Football and Soccer. He was always a great competitor and promoted the games everywhere he went.
Justin will be missed by the many friends he made during the Texas Police Games.
Justin competed in both Flag Football and Soccer at the Texas Police Games, where he was respected as a great competitor as well as a friend to everyone he met.

Deputy Sheriff
Lorenzo Bustos
Smith County Sheriff’s Office, Texas

End of Watch: Friday July 29, 2022

Deputy Sheriff Lorenzo Bustos was struck and killed by a drunk driver at about 12:50 while making a traffic stop in the 14000 block of State Highway 155.

He and his field training officer had conducted a traffic stop shortly before midnight and had taken two occupants of the vehicle into custody. While they were completing their investigation of the initial traffic stop another vehicle struck Deputy Bustos as he stood behind his patrol SUV. The impact pushed Deputy Bustos beneath the patrol vehicle. His partner, who was sitting in the passenger seat at the time of the crash, immediately started rendering aid.

Deputy Bustos was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries about five hours later.

The driver who struck him was charged with intoxication manslaughter.

Deputy Bustos had served with the Smith County Sheriff’s Office for six months and was on his final night of field training. He had previously served with the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office for one year and the Henderson Police Department for one year. He is survived by his wife and three children.

Reserve Officer
Jeffrey Richardson
Poteet Police Department, Texas

End of Watch: Wednesday June 29, 2022

Reserve Officer Jeffrey Richardson was struck and killed by a drunk driver while directing traffic at a construction zone in the 11700 block of N MoPac Expressway in Austin.

He was working a secondary employment assignment when he was struck at about 2:00 am. The driver who struck him was arrested and charged with intoxicated assault.

Officer Richardson is survived by his wife and five children.

Correctional Officer IV
Jade Drennan
Texas Dept. of Criminal Justice
Pampa, Texas

End of Watch: Thursday May 19, 2022

Correctional Officer IV Jade Drennan died as a result of contracting COVID-19 while serving at the Rufe Jordan Unit at 1992 Helton Road in Pampa.

Officer Drennan had served with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice – Correctional Institutions Division for two years. She is survived by her husband and daughter.

The Effects of COVID on Law Enforcement

Beginning in early 2020, thousands of law enforcement officers and other first responders throughout the country began to contract COVID-19 during the worldwide pandemic. Due to the nature of their job, law enforcement officers were required to work and interact with the community even as the majority of the country was self-quarantined. As a result, hundreds of officers died from COVID-related illnesses and other complications.

Corrections agencies, in particular, suffered tremendous losses due to the constant and close proximity between the corrections officers and large inmate populations. Since March 2020, ODMP has verified that over 600 law enforcement officers have died as the result of a confirmed or presumed exposure while on duty and continues to work with hundreds of other agencies that have suffered a COVID-related death.

Deputy Sheriff
Robert Adam Howard
Harris County Sheriff’s Office, Texas

End of Watch: Wednesday May 11, 2022

Deputy Sheriff Robert Howard was killed in a vehicle crash when his patrol car struck the back of a tractor-trailer that was parked on the left shoulder of the Tomball Parkway near Spring Cypress Road.

He was transporting evidence as part of a criminal case when the crash occurred at about 2:00 pm.

Deputy Howard had served with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office for three years and was assigned to the Gang Unit. He is survived by his wife, two children, parents, and sister.

Deputy Constable
Jennifer Chavis
Harris County Constable’s Office
Precinct 7, Texas

End of Watch: Saturday, April 2, 2022

Deputy Constable Jennifer Chavis was killed when her patrol car was struck by a drunk driver on Beltway 8 near Fondren Road.

Other drivers had called 911 to report that the driver of a Ford F-550 was possibly drunk and had just fled the scene of another crash. Deputy Chavis positioned her patrol car on the shoulder of Beltway 8 and waited to intercept the vehicle. The vehicle struck the back of her SUV while it was parked on the shoulder, causing it to burst into flames.

Several bystanders detained the driver as he attempted to flee the scene.

Deputy Sheriff
Darren Almendarez
Harris County Sheriff’s Office, Texas

End of Watch: Thursday, March 31, 2022

Deputy Sheriff Darren Almendarez was shot and killed while off duty when he interrupted three men attempting to steal a catalytic converter at about 8:40 pm.

He and his wife were returning to their car in a grocery store parking lot at 2929 FM 1960 when he observed the three men attempting to steal the catalytic converter. He instructed his wife to run from the scene before confronting the subject. A struggle ensued after one of the men produced a handgun. During the struggle, Deputy Almendarez pulled out his off-duty weapon, and shots were exchanged in which he and two of the three suspects were wounded.

Deputy Almendarez was transported to Houston Northwest Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds. The two wounded suspects drove themselves to the same hospital where they were taken into custody. The third suspect remains at large.

Deputy Almendarez had served with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office for 23 years and was assigned to the Auto Theft Task Force. He is survived by his wife.

Sergeant
Barbara Fenley
Eastland County Sheriff’s Office, Texas

End of Watch: Thursday, March 17, 2022

Sergeant Barbara Fenley was killed while trying to evacuate residents during the rapidly moving Eastland Complex Fires.

She was going door-to-door in the Carbon area in an attempt to notify citizens to leave the area when the area became inundated with smoke and low visibility. Her patrol car drove off the roadway and became engulfed in flames.

The Eastland Complex Fires had already burned over 45,000 acres at the time of Sergeant Fenley’s death.

Sergeant Fenley had served with the Eastland County Sheriff’s Office for nine years and had previously served with the Gorman Police Department for 10 years, including six years as the police chief. She is survived by her husband and three children.

Correctional Officer V
Lonnie D. Johnson
Texas Department Criminal Justice
Tennessee Colony, Texas

End of Watch: Sunday, March 6, 2022

Correctional Officer V Lonnie Johnson died as a result of contracting COVID-19 while serving at the Coffield Unit at 2661 FM2054 in Tennessee Colony.

Officer Johnson had served with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice – Correctional Institutions Division for 8 1/2 years. He is survived by his daughter.

Beginning in early 2020, due to the requirements of their job, thousands of law enforcement officers and other first responders throughout the United States contracted COVID-19 during the worldwide pandemic. Hundreds of law enforcement officers died from medical complications as a result of contracting the virus while remaining on duty and interacting with the community

Correctional Officer V
Jose Ruiz
Texas Department Criminal Justice
Dallas, Texas

End of Watch: Tuesday, March 1, 2022

Correctional Officer V Jose Ruiz died as a result of contracting COVID-19 while serving at the Hutchins State Jail at 1500 East Langdon Road in Dallas.

Officer Ruiz had served with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice – Correctional Institutions Division for 18 years. He is survived by his mother.

Police Officer
David Glen Evans
San San Antonio Police Department, Texas

End of Watch: Friday, February 25, 2022

Police Officer David Evans succumbed to complications of gunshot wounds sustained on January 3rd, 2002, at 3:30 am at NE Loop 410 and Perrin Beitel in San Antonio.

He and his partner responded to a domestic disturbance call between a couple. They were able to defuse the situation and told the male to leave. The female told the officers that the man had a gun in the trunk of his vehicle. The man then turned around and sucker-punched the other officer, breaking his jaw, and disarmed him. He fired several times at Officer Evans, striking him in the chest, stomach, and arm before disarming him as well. The man then fired multiple times at the first officer and shot him in the back. Despite being critically wounded, Officer Evans was able to drag himself outside the restaurant to alert the other officers.

The man then walked outside and shot at both officers, striking them both in the neck. One of the officers, despite wounds to his chest and neck, managed to shoot and kill the subject.

Officer Evans and the officer who shot and killed the man were in critical condition after surgery at Brooke Army Medical Center. Another officer was taken to Univerity Hospital in critical condition with a wound to his face. The fourth officer suffered a bullet graze wound to the back.

The subject who shot them was a convicted felon who had served only seven years of a 12-year sentence for attempted murder.

Officer Evans had served with the San Antonio Police Department for 30 years and then served seven years with the North East Independent School District Police Department after the shooting. He is survived by his wife and two children.

Deputy Constable
Neil Adams
San Jacinto County Constable – Precinct 1, Texas

End of Watch: Wednesday, February 23, 2022

Deputy Constable Neil Adams was shot and killed with his own service weapon after being attacked inside of the PlazAmericas Mall in the 7500 block of Bellaire Boulevard of Houston.

The subject was able to disarm Deputy Adams and fatally shot him shortly before 4:00 pm. The man then fled to the mall’s food court where he was shot and killed by two Houston police officers when he approached them with an edged weapon.

Deputy Adams had served with the San Jacinto County Constable’s Office – Precinct 1 for two years and was assigned as the agency’s environmental officer. He had previously served with the San Jacinto County Sheriff’s Office for eight years. He is survived by his wife.

Police Officer
Lonnie Sneed
Double Oak Police Department, Texas

End of Watch: Tuesday, February 15, 2022

Police Officer Lonnie Sneed died as a result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty.

Officer Sneed was Officer Mestas’ field training officer when they both contracted COVID-19.

Officer Sneed had served with the Double Oak Police Department for six years and had previously served eight years with the Springtown Police Department and one year with the Rhome Police Department. He is survived by his wife and five children.

Correction Officer V
Kay W. Zeger, Jr.
Texas Department Criminal Justice,
Dalhart, Texas

End of Watch: Sunday, February 13, 2022

Correctional Officer V Kay Zeger died as a result of contracting COVID-19 while serving at the Dalhart Unit at Y11950, FM 998 in Dalhart.

Officer Zeger had served with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice – Correctional Institutions Division for eight years. He is survived by his three brothers

Police Corporal
Sheli Godbold
Pantego Police Department, Texas

End of Watch: Thursday, February 10, 2022

Corporal Sheli Godbold died as a result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty.

Corporal Godbold had served with the Pantego Police Department for over five years and had previously served with the Euless Police Department for eight years. She is survived by her daughter.

Correction Officer IV
John Broadaway
Texas Department Criminal Justice
Pampa, Texas

End of Watch: Tuesday, February 8, 2022

Correctional Officer IV John Broadaway died as a result of contracting COVID-19 while serving at the Rufe Jordan Unit Pampa at 1992 Helton Road in Pampa.

Officer Broadaway had served with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice – Correctional Institutions Division for five years. He is survived by his wife, five children, fourteen grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren

Police Officer
John Mestas
Double Oak Police Department, Texas

End of Watch: Monday, February 7, 2022

Police Officer John Mestas died as a result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty.

Officer Mestas was a veteran of both the United States Army and the United States Air Force Reserves. He had served with the Double Oaks Police Department for three months and 15 years with the Hillsboro Police Department, Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, Tarrant County Hospital District Police Department, and Somervell County Sheriff’s Office. He is survived by his wife and four children.

Corrections Employee
Darrell Avery
Texas Department of Criminal Justice
Dallas, Texas

End of Watch: Sunday, February 6, 2022

Corrections Employee Darrell Avery died as a result of contracting COVID-19 while serving at the Hutchins State Jail at 1500 East Langdon Road in Dallas.

Corrections Employee Avery had served with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice – Correctional Institutions Division for eight years. He is survived by his daughter, mother, three brothers, and fiancee.

Police Officer
Chris Bardwell
Cross Roads Police Department, Texas

End of Watch: Tuesday, February 1, 2022

Police Officer Chris Bardwell died from complications as a result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty.

Officer Bardwell had served with the Cross Roads Police Department since its inception in September 2021. He had previously served five years with the Celina Police Department and 23 years with the Grand Prairie Police Department. He is survived by his wife and two children.

Deputy Sheriff
Laquintin J. Wilson
Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Texas

End of Watch: Tuesday, February 1, 2022

Deputy Sheriff Laquintin Wilson died as a result of contracting COVID-19 while serving at the Jefferson County Correctional Facility at 5030 US-69 in Beaumont.

Deputy Wilson had served with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office for over 15 years. He is survived by his wife, two children, and step-child.

Sergeant
Burke N. Hannibal
Gonzales County Sheriff’s Office, Texas

End of Watch: Monday, January 31, 2022

Sergeant Burke Hannibal died as a result of contracting COVID-19 while serving at the Gonzales County Jail at 1713 E. Sarah DeWitt Drive in Gonzales.

Sergeant Hannibal had served with the Gonzales County Sheriff’s Department for 13 years. He is survived by his wife, two children, parents, nieces, and nephews.

Deputy Sheriff
Lorin Marie Readmond
Loving County Sheriff’s Office, Texas

End of Watch: Saturday, January 29, 2022

Deputy Sheriff Lorin Readmond was killed in a vehicle collision while en route to assist another deputy who had made a traffic stop at about 4:30 pm.

A tractor-trailer attempted to turn in front of her patrol car on Highway 302, causing a fatal collision.

Deputy Readmond was a U.S. Navy Reserve veteran. She had served with the Loving County Sheriff’s Office for almost three years and had previously served with the Hudspeth County Sheriff’s Office for over four years. She is survived by her mother, sister, and three brothers.

Police Officer
Christopher Wayne Berry
Vidor Police Department, Texas

End of Watch: Tuesday, January 25, 2022

Police Officer Chris Berry died as a result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty.

Officer Berry had served with the Vidor Police Department for six months and had previously served 26 years with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, over one year with the Pinehurst Police Department and the Newton County Sheriff’s Office. He is survived by his wife and two children.

Sergeant
Ramon Gutierrez
Harris County Sheriff’s Office, Texas

End of Watch: Monday, January 24, 2022

Sergeant Ramon Gutierrez was struck and killed by a drunk driver on the East Beltway feeder road near Tidwell Road at about 1:00 am.

He was providing an escort for a permitted heavy load and was directing traffic while blocking an exit ramp. The woman drove around his police motorcycle and struck him before fleeing the scene. Another deputy stopped the woman a short distance away and placed her under arrest. She was charged with intoxication assault of a police officer and failure to stop and render aid.

Sergeant Gutierrez was flown to Memorial Hermann Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

Sergeant Gutierrez had served with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office for 20 years and was assigned to the Vehicular Crimes Division. He is survived by his wife and three children.

Corporal
Charles Galloway
Harris County Constables Office Precinct 5, Texas

End of Watch: Sunday, January 23, 2022

Corporal Charles Galloway was shot and killed while conducting a traffic stop in the 9100 block of Beechnut Street at about 12:45 am.

The driver of the vehicle he stopped exited the car and opened fire, killing Corporal Galloway. The man then fled the scene in his car and remains at large.

Corporal Galloway had served with the Harris County Constable’s Office – Precinct 5 for 12 years. He is survived by his daughter and sisters.

Special Agent
Anthony Salas
Texas Department of Public Safety
Criminal Investigations
El Paso, Texas

End of Watch: Saturday, January 22, 2022

Special Agent Anthony Salas was killed in an accident near Eagle Pass, Texas, while conducting joint tactical operations with the United States Border Patrol’s BORTAC unit.

He was flown to University Hospital in San Antonio where he succumbed to his injuries the following day.

Special Agent Salas was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran. He had served with the Texas Department of Public Safety for nine years and was assigned to the Special Operations Group.

Police Officer
Ramiro “Ray” Perez
Shallowater Police Department, Texas

End of Watch: Tuesday, January 18, 2022

Police Officer Ray Perez died as a result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty.

Officer Perez had served with the Shallowater Police Department for less than one month and served in law enforcement in Texas for four years. He is survived by his wife, son, two daughters, and six grandchildren.

Correction Officer V
Mark A. Loecken
Texas Department of Criminal Justice
Corrections Division
Huntsville, Texas

End of Watch: Monday, January 10, 2022

Correctional Officer V Mark Loecken died as a result of contracting COVID-19 while serving at the Huntsville Unit at 815 12th Street in Huntsville.

Officer Loecken was a United States Army veteran who had served with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice – Correctional Institutions Division for over 38 years. He is survived by his four children, 11 grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

Police Officer
Franklin Joe
Lone Star College System Police Department, Texas

End of Watch: Tuesday, January 4, 2022

Police Officer Franklin Joe died as a result of contracting COVID-19 while serving at Lone Star College – North Harris at 2700 WW Thorne Boulevard in Houston.

Officer Joe was a United States Army veteran who had served with the Lone Star College System Police Department for 42 years. He is survived by his wife and two children.

Police Officer
Christopher Gibson
Dallas Police Department, Texas

End of Watch: Sunday, January 2, 2022

Police Officer Chris Gibson died from complications as a result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty.

Officer Gibson had served with the Dallas Police Department for over 24 years. He is survived by his wife and two daughters.