Here's What's Hot On CBS11TV.COM:
Apr 4, 2009 10:19 pm US/Central
Family Of Officer Killed Releases Statement
Arezow Doost
BRIDGEPORT (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ―
The family of a Bridgeport officer killed in the line of duty says he was doing exactly what God wanted him to do.
Sergeant Randy White's wife Janet released a statement through her pastor Saturday. In it she writes that "Randy was a Christian first, a husband second, a daddy third, and a police officer fourth."
Pastor Mark Sims of the First Baptist Church of Perrin read the statement Saturday afternoon in front of a flower draped patrol car in Bridgeport. "I would like to express how privileged we have been to have had our husband and father, even if for only eight years," wrote Janet White.
Sgt. White was killed Thursday when police say Stephen York crashed into his patrol car during a chase along highway 114.
York was being chased for a traffic violation by Wise County deputies when the crash happened. The initial chase started in Decatur.
Investigators say York was at the police department before the crash. Sgt. White was trying to clear traffic ahead of the chase. "He had in fact come in our building earlier that day," explains Bridgeport Police Chief Randy Singleton "That is the only comment I will make on that this time."
Chief Singleton says because it's on ongoing investigation taken over by the Texas Rangers and the Wise County District Attorney's office he can't share much information. "We believe more than likely he prevented other tragedies by being where he was at," says Chief Singleton.
White is the first member of the Bridgeport Police Department to die in the line of duty. The small police department has 16 remaining officers.
A steady stream of people have been stopping by the police department with flowers to pay their respects. The family says they are so grateful for all the prayers.
His wife says when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in August. Sgt. White was the one there for her. "He was my rock, and walking together as a team we beat my cancer."
She says she will do everything she can to make sure their 5-year-old daughter Jadyn knows she was his favorite thing in life. "She is going to miss out by not getting to grow up with Daddy," read Pastor Sims "However, she is going to have wonderful memories of wresting with him, going on treasure hunts, and learning all about wildlife and the outdoors.
Sgt. White's funeral will be Tuesday, April 7th at 11 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Decatur.
York is still in the hospital at John Peter Smith in For Worth. He has been charged with capital murder, with bond set at $1 million.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Strange Photos 2009
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
