HR862 - In memory of Deputy Melissa Pollard of the Wood County Sheriff's Office.

      H.R. No. 862       R E S O L U T I O N          WHEREAS, Deputy Melissa Pollard of the Wood County Sheriff's   Office died in the line of duty on April 9, 2025, at the age of 47,   and her untimely passing has brought a heartbreaking loss to her   family, her fellow officers, and her community; and          WHEREAS, Born on March 14, 1978, in Paris, Texas, to Leonard   Keith and Pamela Vickers Pollard, Melissa Pollard grew up with the   companionship of two sisters, Kelee and Angela; she embarked on a   career in law enforcement in Collin County in 2003, and she remained   there for a decade before transferring to Fannin County in 2013; and          WHEREAS, Deputy Pollard had been a valued member of the Wood   County Sheriff's Office since 2016; she fulfilled her duties with   honor, skill, and compassion, and she greatly benefited her   department through her efforts to train and mentor newer recruits;   over the course of her 22-year career, she furthered her   professional development by earning certifications as an advanced   peace officer, field training officer, instructor, training   coordinator, jailer, and school-based law enforcement officer; in   recognition of her service and sacrifice, she was awarded the   Police Cross; and          WHEREAS, Outside of her professional endeavors, Deputy   Pollard was an active supporter of Project Lifesaver, a program   that assists individuals with cognitive disorders, and she   tirelessly advocated for the well-being of animals through her   involvement with the SPCA; and          WHEREAS, Deeply devoted to her family, Deputy Pollard was the   loving mother of a daughter, Sydney, as well as the doting "Mimi" of   three grandchildren, Cayden, Evelynn, and Khai; she also adored her   two Great Danes, Apollo and Nova, and she enjoyed spending her   leisure time fishing and tending to her garden; and          WHEREAS, Melissa Pollard dedicated her life to her loved ones   and to the welfare of her community, and although she is deeply   missed, she will remain a source of inspiration to all who were   fortunate enough to know her; now, therefore, be it          RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas   Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Deputy Melissa   Pollard and extend heartfelt condolences to the members of her   family: to her daughter, Sydney Locke, and her husband, Curtis; to   her grandchildren, Cayden, Evelynn, and Khai; to her sisters, Kelee   Tarno and her husband, John, and Angela Fein and her husband, Josh;   to her partner, Michael Cotton, and his grandson, Easton; to her   nieces and nephews, Ashlynn, Marissa, Joisalyn, Shayla, Haegan,   Keithan, David, and Logan and his wife, Reagan; and to her other   relatives and friends and to her brothers and sisters in blue; and,   be it further          RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be   prepared for her family and that when the Texas House of   Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Melissa   Pollard.     Hefner   Luther     ______________________________   Speaker of the House                 I certify that H.R. No. 862 was unanimously adopted by a   rising vote of the House on May 23, 2025.     ______________________________   Chief Clerk of the House