Governor Abbott Presents Star Of Texas Awards
Governor Greg Abbott today presented the Star of Texas Awards to peace officers, firefighters, citizens and emergency medical first responders who have demonstrated extraordinary valor and courage in serving and protecting their communities. The Star of Texas Awards were created by the State of Texas in 2003 to honor men and women who have been killed or have sustained injuries in the line of duty.
“Today Texas continues its legacy of celebrating and honoring those who have served in the most challenging circumstances,” said Governor Abbott. “It is with the highest esteem and depth of gratitude that I present the Star of Texas award to 28 Texans. The Star of Texas award is aptly named – it goes only to those who are truly stars in the State of Texas – those who have shined in their service to our fellow Texans, those who self-sacrificed and it has allowed Texas to continue to shine as the lone star of our great nation.”
The 2015 recipients of the Star of Texas Awards are as follows:
Emergency Medical First Responders Killed In The Line Of Duty
Kristin McLain, Travis County STAR Flight
Peace Officers Killed In The Line Of Duty
Wayland Dixon, Little River Academy
Jessica Hollis, Travis County Sheriff's Office
Christopher Kelley, Hutto Police Department
Richard Martin, Houston Police Department
Fredrich Sowders, Burleson County Sheriff's Office
Robert White, El Paso County Constable Precinct 1
Emergency Medical First Responders Seriously Injured In The Line Of Duty
Leslie Soto, Wilson County ESD #3
Firefighters Seriously Injured In The Line Of Duty
Calvin Allison, Lewisville Fire Department
Jeffrey Patterson, Dallas Fire Rescue Department
Peace Officers Seriously Injured In The Line Of Duty
John D. Calhoun, Houston Police Department
Lee Andrew Davis, Harlingen Police Department
Shane Carl Drake, Fort Worth Police Department
David Hull Feucht, Burleson Police Department
Houston Lee Gass, Pampa Police Department
Gerald Guerrero Jr., Seguin Police Department
Tiffany Crystal Kierum, Selma Police Department
Robert E. Layman, Montgomery County Sheriff's Office
David Adam Logan, Texas Department of Criminal Justice
Bryan Michael Martin, Jackson County Sheriff's Office
Michael Edward Matsik Jr., Lubbock Police Department
Raul Montelongo, Houston Police Department
Cory Glenn Owens, Lubbock Police Department
Elias Noe Reymundo Sr., Eastfield College Police Department
John Rueben Sullivan Jr., Kaufman County Constable Precinct 4
Jack Valenzuela, Montgomery County Sheriff's Office
Timothy Michael Varner, Lubbock Police Department
Dennis Wayne Walker, Jacinto City Police Department
Governor Abbott’s Star of Texas Awards Remarks:
**Gov. Abbott often deviates from prepared remarks.
Today Texas honors the extraordinary few of those who have demonstrated the character and the courage to put their lives on the line to serve, protect and aid their communities. We proudly honor our peace officers, firefighters and emergency medical first responders for the sacrifices you and your families make to keep Texans safe.
Today’s ceremony that honors 28 Texans is situated between two other profound remembrances. Tomorrow the nation remembers 9/11, all those who were lost in that horrific attack and the way first responders ran toward the imploding inferno to rescue the trapped and injured. And last Friday we celebrated the life of Darren Goforth – he’s the Harris County Deputy Sheriff who was cowardly gunned down from behind while he filled his squad car with gas.
One of the great things about America and Texas is that we don’t shrink from such evils. Instead, they bring us together. Remember how the country united after 9/11. Look at how Texans responded to the attack on Deputy Goforth.
Today we continue our legacy of celebrating and honoring those who have served in the most challenging circumstances. It is with the highest esteem and depth of gratitude that I present the Star of Texas award to 28 Texans. The Star of Texas award is aptly named. It goes only to those who are truly stars in the State of Texas, those who have shined in their service to our fellow Texans, those who self-sacrifice…and it has allowed Texas to continue to shine as the lone star of our great nation.
The Book of John reminds us, “Greater love has no man than this: to lay down one’s life for another.” But who among us runs toward danger and willingly risk their lives that ours may be saved? Those we recognize today have answered that high calling. I wish time permitted me to recount all of the stories of their heroism. But let me mention just a sampling.
Travis County Deputy Jessica Hollis gave her life in the line of duty doing what she loved – looking out for others. As she was monitoring a low water crossing in the darkness of early morning hours, she and her squad car were swept away by flood waters. Deputy Hollis was a daughter, a sister and the wife of a fellow officer and she was a Mom to Mason. No flood will ever wash away the love of her family, the meaning of her service and the memory of her life.
One thing law enforcement officers know is that routine traffic stops can turn deadly dangerous. That’s what happened to Houston Police Officer Raul Montelongo. During a 3:00 AM traffic stop, Montelongo was shot in the face. Despite the excruciating pain, Officer Montelongo’s focus was on his duty. He had the presence of mind to call in the suspect’s ID. He then called his father because he didn’t want his wife and children to get the call every officer’s family fears from anyone else. Fortunately, Officer Montelongo survived. And because of his presence of mind, the assailant was tracked down and arrested.
Lewisville firefighter Andy Allison ran to the rescue of a homeowner and wound up needing to be rescued himself. In battling a house fire he was driven to his knees as water from his hose came in contact with a live wire. The electrocution trauma was brutal and will challenge Andy the rest of his life. Through two long years of burn treatments, surgeries and physical therapy, Andy says it is his wife Amanda who is the real hero for him and their two young sons.
These are just a few examples of the heroism we recognize today. Acts of uncommon valor by first responders, firefighters and law enforcement officers willing to give their all to keep us safe. They are lone star heroes and we are grateful for what these men and women have done for Texas.
To the families of the fallen, I wish words could heal your hearts. We mourn your loss, we embrace you in our prayers and we honor the lasting legacy of those who so faithfully served.
To those injured in the line of duty, may you find healing and hope in the knowledge that your selfless sacrifice gave others new life.
All of the men and women who protect and serve and the families who stand by their sides deserve our deepest respect. You represent the very best of Texas.
The First Lady joins with me in sharing Texas’ enduring gratitude. May God bless you and keep you safe each day and may he forever bless the great State of Texas.