84R28457 BK-D
By: Tinderholt H.R. No. 2644
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Officer Billy Cruz of the Arlington Police
Department placed himself directly in harm's way on the evening of
May 5, 2015, when he aided in the rescue of a number of people from a
fire at an apartment complex; and
WHEREAS, Officer Cruz and another police officer were on the
scene attending to an unrelated call when they smelled smoke
emanating from a row of apartments, where a three-alarm fire had
broken out; acting quickly, they ran into the apartments to alert
the residents and usher them to safety; despite lacking any sort of
protective or breathing gear, the officers went on to make multiple
trips into the path of danger to ensure that every resident was
evacuated; and
WHEREAS, Thanks to the officers' heroic actions, everyone in
the burning buildings escaped unharmed, including an infant;
Officer Cruz and his partner were treated for smoke inhalation at a
local hospital and ultimately released; and
WHEREAS, In risking his own life to save the lives of others,
Officer Billy Cruz embodied the highest ideals of the law
enforcement profession, and he is indeed deserving of our esteem
and gratitude for his steadfast bravery; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
Legislature hereby commend Officer Billy Cruz for his act of valor
in rescuing a group of fellow citizens from a fire and extend to him
sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Officer Cruz as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.