Conroe Police Department's Police Officers Memorial Ceremony May 14

CONROE, Texas -- A Police Officers Memorial Ceremony will be held on Tuesday, May 14, to honor officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. In honor of National Police Week, May 12-18, the Conroe Police Department will hold the memorial ceremony at 11:30 a.m., in Heritage Place Park on 500 Collins Street, in Conroe.

In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation designating an official Peace Officers Memorial Day in the month of May, and the week the day falls within, as National Police Week. This year the memorial week will be held May 12 through 18. The community will honor those officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty, in memorial services throughout the country. Since 1791, there have been 21,465 known ‘line of duty’ deaths in America; 1,799 in Texas.

As National Police Week commences, Conroe Today honors all peace officers lost in the line of duty, including the five in Montgomery County (in descending date order.)

- Deputy Constable John David Garcia, Montgomery County Constable's Office - Precinct 5, July 17, 2003. Deputy Constable John Garcia was killed when his patrol car was struck by a SUV that the driver had lost control of on FM 149. The vehicle crossed into oncoming traffic, collided with a truck, and then landed on top of Deputy Constable Garcia's patrol car, killing him instantly. Deputy Constable Garcia had served with the Montgomery County Constable's Office - Precinct 5 for 4 year, and had previously served with Precinct 2 for 2 years. He was survived by his wife, child, parents, and siblings.

- Sergeant Ed Holcomb, Jr, Conroe Police Department, September 14, 1982. Sergeant Holcomb was shot with a rifle as he approached a mobile home during a domestic dispute call. The suspect then lit his home on fire and shot himself. Sergeant Holcomb was taken to a local hospital where he succumbed to his wound three weeks later. He had served with the Conroe Police Department for 5 year, and was survived by his wife and son.

- Constable Thomas J. Bevett, Montgomery County Constable’s Office, Pct. 3, August 6, 1931. Constable Thomas Beyett was shot and killed while transporting two prisoners to jail. During the drive to the jail one of the suspects gained control of Constable Beyett's service weapon and shot him in the head. Both suspects fled the scene but were eventually apprehended. The suspect who shot Constable Beyett, was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to death. He escaped from jail and was shot and killed by a deputy sheriff in Chambers County on Dec. 20, 1931. The other suspect was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to 99 years in prison on May 26, 1932. Constable Beyett was survived by his wife and three children.

- Officer George Benard Crawford, Magnolia Park Police Department, September 17, 1921. Police Officer George Crawford succumbed to injuries sustained when he was involved in a motorcycle accident at the intersection of 71st Street and Harrisburg Avenue in Magnolia Park. Officer Crawford was survived by his wife, daughter, and two sons.

- Deputy Sheriff Abner B. Womack, Jr., Montgomery County Sheriff's Office , April 7, 1876. Deputy Sheriff Abner Womack was shot and killed while collecting taxes about 15 miles of Montgomery. Womack encountered a man wanted for stealing horses in an adjacent county and attempted to arrest him. The subject drew a pistol and shot Deputy Womack in the head, killing him. He then mounted Deputy Womack's horse and fled the scene. The subject was arrested and charged with Deputy Womack's murder and stealing his horse.

The public can show their appreciation to these officers and all who serve, by attending the Police Officers Memorial Ceremony Tuesday.