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.