Published: May 16, 2008 02:57 am            

Fallen officers honored during annual event

PALESTINE — Local peace officers and other citizens commemorated National Peace Officers’ Memorial Day Thursday afternoon at the Anderson County Peace Officers’ Memorial on Avenue A.

Approximately 50 persons attended the brief ceremony which included remarks from elected county officials and city leaders, in addition to the singing of “Amazing Grace” by Anderson County reserve sheriff’s deputy Darren Goodman and the playing of “Taps” by Elkhart High School student Scott Lane.

Anderson County Sheriff Greg Taylor told the crowd that 181 peace officers lost their lives in the U.S. last year, with 22 of those deaths occurring in Texas.

Taylor also remembered Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper James Burns who was shot to death during a traffic stop April 29 in Marion County near Lake O’ The Pines.

“My prayers go out to the family and co-workers of our fallen officers,” Taylor said. “I’m very thankful for all the brave men and women who serve us in this county...and stand between us and lawlessness.”

Anderson County District Attorney Doug Lowe told how the life of acclaimed journalist Bob Woodruff was changed forever in early 2006 when he was seriously injured in a roadside bombing while on assignment in Iraq.

Woodruff and his wife, Lee, have co-authored a book titled, “In an Instant,” chronicling how their lives have been dramatically impacted by the unanticipated event.

Lowe said he sometimes talks to peace officers who have been involved in shootings and other similar incidents.

“It always amazes me to talk to you and also to the victims of crimes — what the exact moment was like?” he added.

Lowe went on to say that some persons can recount the event with vivid recollection, while others have difficulty remembering even the most general details.

“The common denominator is that instant in time changed your life forever,” Lowe said.

The district attorney also remembered Tony Ogburn and Paul Habelt, the Henderson County officers who were shot to death outside a rural residence last May.

Randall Mays was sentenced to die earlier this week by an Henderson County jury after being found guilty of capital murder in the deaths of both officers.

“Do you think they left for work that day and knew they weren’t coming home that day?” Lowe asked.

Charles Steen of the Palestine Police Department provided background on one of the persons listed on the local “wall” of fallen officers, explaining how Floyd Cox was murdered in February 1930.

Steen said Cox, a deputy constable at the time who had first worked for the Palestine Police Department as a motorcycle officer, was sitting in a local restaurant when he was gunned down by an angry man he had encountered on the job the previous day.

Cox, who was 27, was planning to move back to his native Arkansas in the immediate future at the time of his death, Steen further explained.

Also, the name of David Pierce, an Anderson County constable shot to death in January 1908, was added to the local “wall” during Thursday’s ceremony.

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

        

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