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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The Lone Star State lost an admired law enforcement |
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professional when Senior Trooper Thomas Patrick Nipper of the Texas |
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Department of Public Safety was killed in the line of duty on |
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November 4, 2017, at the age of 63; and |
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WHEREAS, Tom Nipper was born in Waltham, Massachusetts, on |
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March 17, 1954, to Tommie Lee Nipper and Rose Piazza Nipper; after |
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graduating from Copperas Cove High School in 1973, he earned his |
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associate degree in criminal justice from Central Texas College; he |
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began his career in law enforcement as a police officer in |
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Nolanville, and he went on to serve with the Coryell County |
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Sheriff's Office and with police departments in Hereford, Belton, |
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and Gainesville before entering the DPS academy, where he graduated |
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in 1982; and |
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WHEREAS, Over the course of his three and a half decades with |
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DPS, Trooper Nipper earned the respect and admiration of his fellow |
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officers, and he was presented with many awards and commendations, |
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including a Field Major's award for his rescue of an abducted child; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Tom Nipper shared nearly four decades of matrimony |
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with the former Tammy Beasley, and he was the proud father of three |
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children, Michael, Amy, and Lori; he delighted in watching the |
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Dallas Cowboys and in hosting weekend barbecues for family and |
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friends; a self-described "geek," he enjoyed visiting his local |
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hobby shop, and he was fond of quoting Spock's famous salutation |
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from Star Trek, "Live long and prosper"; and |
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WHEREAS, A devoted family man, a true friend, and a dedicated |
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peace officer, Tom Nipper leaves behind a record of service that |
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will continue to inspire all those who knew and loved him; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 86th Texas |
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Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Senior Trooper Thomas |
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Patrick Nipper and extend sincere condolences to the members of his |
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family: to his wife, Tammy Beasley Nipper; to his children, Michael |
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Nipper and his wife, Janie, Amy Nipper Schmoyer and her husband, |
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Michael, and Lori Marie Nipper; to his brother, Joe Piazza; to his |
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sister, Lynn Sawyer, and her husband, Rick; and to his other |
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relatives and many friends; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of |
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Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Senior |
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Trooper Nipper. |