By Edwards                                             H.R. No. 701

         75R11414 WMS-D                           

                                 R E S O L U T I O N

 1-1           WHEREAS, Texans everywhere are indebted to the fine men and

 1-2     women in the law enforcement profession who, by their selfless

 1-3     dedication to the public welfare, have enabled us to enjoy the

 1-4     benefits of a peaceful and orderly society; and

 1-5           WHEREAS, Seldom recognized and often taken for granted by the

 1-6     public they so faithfully serve, these gallant individuals daily

 1-7     risk their lives in order to ensure domestic tranquility and

 1-8     protect the lives and property of others; and

 1-9           WHEREAS, Deputy Tom Sitton of the Nacogdoches County

1-10     Sheriff's Department exemplified in his personal and professional

1-11     conduct the singular virtues of courage, integrity, and unwavering

1-12     dedication; and

1-13           WHEREAS, Throughout his eight years on the force, his record

1-14     was one of meritorious service, loyalty, personal bravery, and

1-15     self-sacrifice consistent with the high ideals of the law

1-16     enforcement profession; and

1-17           WHEREAS, He was killed in the line of duty on May 24, 1996,

1-18     and his untimely death was a tragic loss to his family, to his

1-19     fellow peace officers, and to the entire community; and

1-20           WHEREAS, His legacy of heroic dedication and self-sacrifice

1-21     will endure and continue to be a source of inspiration to those who

1-22     follow in a difficult but essential profession; now, therefore, be

1-23     it

1-24           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas

 2-1     Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Deputy Tom Sitton of

 2-2     the Nacogdoches County Sheriff's Department and extend deepest

 2-3     sympathy to his family, his friends, and his fellow officers; and,

 2-4     be it further

 2-5           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be

 2-6     prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas

 2-7     House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of

 2-8     Deputy Tom Sitton.