By Dunnam                                            H.C.R. No. 290
         77R16319 MJS-D                           
                             HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
 1-1           WHEREAS, On May 9, 2001, Senior Trooper Richard Dale Cottle
 1-2     of Woodway was killed in the line of duty, at the age of 51, and we
 1-3     join his family and many friends in mourning their profound loss;
 1-4     and
 1-5           WHEREAS, Born in Cleburne, Mr. Cottle was a 29-year veteran
 1-6     of the force and served with the utmost distinction during his
 1-7     tenure; he joined the police department on October 6, 1971, and
 1-8     graduated from the DPS Academy on February 15, 1972; and
 1-9           WHEREAS, He worked in the highway patrol division and served
1-10     as a license and weight trooper before joining the Motor Vehicle
1-11     Inspection Service in Waco; and
1-12           WHEREAS, Known for his proficiency in investigating
1-13     fraudulent documents, Trooper Cottle proved himself to be a lawman
1-14     of great integrity and ability who upheld the time-honored oath of
1-15     protecting and serving his fellow citizens; and
1-16           WHEREAS, Through his hard work and caring nature, he earned
1-17     the respect and admiration of his peers; moreover, his valuable
1-18     efforts and important contributions helped make his community a
1-19     better place; and
1-20           WHEREAS, Those who choose to devote themselves to the field
1-21     of law enforcement are among the most dedicated of all public
1-22     servants and daily risk their lives while striving to keep citizens
1-23     out of harm's way; Trooper Cottle is the 76th DPS officer to die in
1-24     the line of duty; and
 2-1           WHEREAS, Although he will be deeply missed, his spirit and
 2-2     enduring legacy will continue to contribute to the well-being of
 2-3     our state for years to come; now, therefore, be it
 2-4           RESOLVED, That the 77th Legislature of the State of Texas
 2-5     hereby pay tribute to the life of Richard Dale Cottle and extend
 2-6     sincere sympathy to the members of his family:  to his wife,
 2-7     Marsha; to his daughter, Crystal; to his son, Chatt, who is a DPS
 2-8     Capitol trooper; and to his other relatives, friends, and
 2-9     colleagues; and, be it further
2-10           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
2-11     prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas
2-12     House of Representatives and Senate adjourn this day, they do so in
2-13     memory of Richard Dale Cottle.