Published: May 11, 2008 01:42 am            

Peace Officers’ Memorial Day to recall those lost in the line of duty

PALESTINE — One hundred eighty-one peace officers lost their lives last year in the U.S., with Texas unfortunately at the top of the list with 22 of those losses.

On Thursday, law enforcement personnel and others will gather to remember those who have fallen in the line of duty as part of the local observation of National Peace Officers’ Memorial Day.

A program will begin at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Anderson County Peace Officers’ Memorial in downtown Palestine on Avenue A.

“It is a dangerous job that we do,” Anderson County Sheriff Greg Taylor said. “This is just a time for everybody to come together and reflect and appreciate those who stand between what’s right and what’s wrong in our society.”

Taylor, Anderson County County District Attorney Doug Lowe, 369th State District Judge Bascom W. Bentley III and Palestine Assistant Police Chief Charles Steen are all expected to speak at Thursday’s ceremony which is open to the public.

Also, the name of Dave Pierce, a former Anderson County constable who was shot to death in the line of duty 100 years ago, will be added to the local “wall” of fallen officers.

According to research performed by Terry Baker, retired assistant chief deputy with the Dallas County Sheriff’s Department, Pierce, the precinct 4 constable, was shot to death by Sam Tubbs during the late afternoon hours of Jan. 30, 1908.

Pierce had gone to Tubbs’ residence to serve civil papers relating to a gas engine and sawmill equipment that the man reportedly had in his possession, but failed to make payment.

According to Baker’s research, Tubbs arrived at his residence after the constable and another man had been allowed inside by Tubbs’ son. Entering his home armed with a shotgun, Tubbs became angry and shot and killed Pierce.

Pierce, who was 29 at the time of his death, is buried in the Olive Branch Cemetery in the Brushy Creek community.

“Any family members who are kin to Dave Pierce, I would be honored to meet them and have them at the ceremony,” Taylor said. “I encourage the public to come and honor our fallen heroes...and meet some of the current officers who are serving.”

Borrowing a line from the popular television show, “America’s Most Wanted,” Taylor said persons should take time and pause in honor of our fallen public servants.

“It’s not how the officers died that makes them heroes,” the sheriff said, “it’s how they lived.”

National Peace Officers’ Memorial Day was designated as May 15 of each year by President John F. Kennedy in 1962. The week including May 15 is designated National Police Week.

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Paul Stone may be contacted via e-mail at pstone@palestineherald.com

        

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