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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Officer William McKeon Jr. of the Sour Lake Police |
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Department is being presented with a Star of Texas Award on |
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September 11, 2021, at a ceremony in Austin; and |
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WHEREAS, Established by the 78th Texas Legislature in 2003, |
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the Star of Texas Awards annually recognize first responders who |
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have been seriously injured or killed in the line of duty; |
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recipients are selected by three advisory committees appointed by |
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the governor; and |
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WHEREAS, On May 27, 2019, Officer Bill McKeon was called to |
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investigate a suspicious person at a local convenience store, and |
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as soon as he stepped out of his patrol car, he was attacked and |
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beaten by his assailant; the brutal assault left Officer McKeon in a |
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coma for a time, and his severe injuries required several |
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surgeries, a nine-month stay in the hospital, and many months of |
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therapy; and |
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WHEREAS, This veteran peace officer began his career in the |
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early 1980s, and he worked for the Port Arthur Police Department and |
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the Orange County Sheriff's Office before joining the Sour Lake |
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Police Department; his recovery from his injuries was aided by the |
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love of his family and the support of his fellow police officers as |
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well as his community, which organized fundraisers to help with his |
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medical expenses; and |
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WHEREAS, Texans owe an immense debt of gratitude to the men |
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and women of the law enforcement profession who willingly place |
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themselves in harm's way to protect and serve the public, and |
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Officer Bill McKeon's courage and dedication make him truly |
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deserving of special commendation; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas |
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Legislature, 2nd Called Session, hereby honor Officer William |
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McKeon Jr. on his receipt of a 2021 Star of Texas Award and extend to |
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him sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Officer McKeon as an expression of high regard by the |
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Texas House of Representatives. |