R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The death of Sheriff James Richard (J. R.) Koog on 1-2 January 23, 2001, at the age of 71, brought a profound sense of 1-3 loss to his family, friends, and community, and he will long be 1-4 remembered by the citizens he so ably served during his years in 1-5 office for his deep commitment to fairness and justice; and 1-6 WHEREAS, Born on May 24, 1929, Sheriff Koog demonstrated his 1-7 valor and devotion to his country as a tank commander in the United 1-8 States Army for three years in Korea and later joined the Army 1-9 Reserve; and 1-10 WHEREAS, He began a highly successful career in law 1-11 enforcement in 1953 as a patrol officer and would later serve with 1-12 distinction as Del Rio's chief of police for more than 20 years 1-13 until his election as Val Verde County sheriff on November 2, 1976; 1-14 and 1-15 WHEREAS, Before retiring in 1995, Sheriff Koog made numerous 1-16 improvements to the department during his five terms in office, 1-17 upgrading the record and detective divisions and enhancing training 1-18 requirements; and 1-19 WHEREAS, This esteemed gentleman was the 10th person to serve 1-20 as sheriff of Val Verde County, and in that capacity he set a 1-21 standard of excellence for those who follow in his footsteps; 1-22 moreover, his integrity, dignity, and loyalty earned him a special 1-23 place in the hearts of West Texas residents as one of the region's 1-24 great lawmen; and 2-1 WHEREAS, For more than 42 years, Sheriff Koog was a model 2-2 officer and dutifully upheld the time-honored oath of protecting 2-3 and serving the people of Val Verde County; and 2-4 WHEREAS, Although he will be deeply missed, his enduring 2-5 legacy will continue to live on in all those whose lives he 2-6 touched, and it is most appropriate to honor his memory at this 2-7 time; now, therefore, be it 2-8 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas 2-9 Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of James Richard (J. R.) 2-10 Koog and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to 2-11 his wife, Cherrill Vasbinder Koog; to his sons, James (Jay) 2-12 R. Koog, Jr., and Joel P. Koog; to his grandchildren, Ryan Lee Koog 2-13 and Camille LaPlant Koog; to his brother and sister, Ernest Koog 2-14 and Betty Jean Davee; and to his numerous other friends, relatives, 2-15 and former colleagues; and, be it further 2-16 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-17 prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas 2-18 House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of 2-19 Sheriff James Richard (J. R.) Koog. Gallego _______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 220 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on April 5, 2001. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House