H.R. No. 377
                                  R E S O L U T I O N
    1-1        WHEREAS, The men and women who pursue careers in the field of
    1-2  law enforcement in Texas are united by their pledge to provide
    1-3  safety and protection to their fellow Texans, even though the
    1-4  fulfillment of that vital commitment often places them in harm's
    1-5  way; and
    1-6        WHEREAS, Officer Ricky Lee Ward, a valued member of the Mexia
    1-7  Police Department, lost his life in the line of duty on August 2,
    1-8  1993, at the age of 33, when he was felled by a bullet while
    1-9  pursuing a robbery suspect; and
   1-10        WHEREAS, During his three-year career, Officer Ward served
   1-11  the people of Mexia with distinction, earning the respect and
   1-12  admiration of both the local citizenry and his fellow officers; and
   1-13        WHEREAS, Those who serve in the field of law enforcement are
   1-14  among the most dedicated of all public servants, for they realize
   1-15  that although their efforts may often place them in exceptional
   1-16  physical peril, that level of personal risk is necessary to ensure
   1-17  the safety of those they are sworn to protect; and
   1-18        WHEREAS, Officer Ricky Lee Ward exemplifies the spirit of
   1-19  self-sacrifice that is at the core of every peace officer's pledge
   1-20  to provide for the public safety of everyone in the community;
   1-21  although his life has been cut tragically  short, his memory will
   1-22  live on in the hearts of all who were privileged to know him; now,
   1-23  therefore, be it
   1-24        RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas
    2-1  Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Mexia police officer
    2-2  Ricky Lee Ward and extend heartfelt sympathy to the members of his
    2-3  family: to his wife, Paula Ward; to his mother, Neva Ward; to his
    2-4  brothers, Glenn Ward and Mickey Ward; to his fellow officers; and
    2-5  to the many other friends and relatives of this exceptional man;
    2-6  and, be it further
    2-7        RESOLVED, That official copies of this resolution be prepared
    2-8  for the members of his family and that when the Texas House of
    2-9  Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Officer
   2-10  Ricky Lee Ward.