78S41735 MMS-D

By:  Pena                                                         H.R. No. 339



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Lieutenant Jaime Ayala of the Arlington Police 
Department has been nominated for his department's Medal of Valor 
for his heroic actions in helping to apprehend an armed suspect on 
December 23, 2002; and
	WHEREAS, Lieutenant Ayala was off duty on that day and had 
gone shopping with his two children, ages six and three; they were 
entering a Target when Lieutenant Ayala observed two store 
employees pursue and pin to the ground a shoplifting suspect; as the 
suspect continued to resist and a crowd gathered, Lieutenant Ayala 
proceeded to render assistance to the employees; and
	WHEREAS, The suspect, who was lying face down with his arms 
beneath him, repeatedly threatened to shoot; Lieutenant Ayala 
worked his hands under the suspect's body and struggled with him for 
several minutes for control of the gun, which he was at last able to 
wrest away from the man; and
	WHEREAS, Although he was unarmed and in the company of his two 
young children, Lieutenant Ayala responded swiftly and decisively 
to a crisis, and his successful disarming of the suspect, at great 
risk to himself, prevented the possible shooting of numerous 
people; and
	WHEREAS, This courageous officer and his wife, Janet, are the 
parents of Mandy Keith, Alicia Marie Ayala, and Jaime Ayala, Jr.; 
Lieutenant Ayala's parents are Ruben and Gloria Ayala of Edinburg; 
and
	WHEREAS, Representative Aaron Peña has appropriately 
recognized Lieutenant Ayala's critical intervention by passing 
this resolution in his behalf during the 78th Texas Legislature, 
4th Called Session; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature, 4th Called Session, hereby honor Lieutenant Jaime 
Ayala for his bravery and composure in the face of a 
life-threatening situation and extend to him deep appreciation for 
his selflessness and professionalism; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for Lieutenant Ayala as an expression of high regard by the 
Texas House of Representatives.