84R8586 RMA-D
By: Israel H.R. No. 706
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Words cannot adequately express the sorrow felt at
the loss of Senior Deputy Jessica Hollis of the Travis County
Sheriff's Office, who died in the line of duty on September 19,
2014, at the age of 35; and
WHEREAS, Born in San Antonio on April 21, 1979, the former
Jessica Laura Wright graduated from Winston Churchill High School
in 1997 and went on to attend Texas A&M University--Corpus Christi
and to study marine biology at Texas State University-San Marcos;
and
WHEREAS, While serving as emergency medical technicians in
San Antonio, she and her colleague Ricky Hollis fell in love, and
they continued to work together as paramedics in Calhoun County for
five years; the couple moved to Austin following their acceptance
into the Austin Police Academy and became only the second married
couple to graduate from the academy; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Hollis went on to work for the Austin Police
Department and the Travis County Parks Department, and she was
eventually recruited by the Travis County Sheriff's Office; over
the course of her seven-year tenure there, she served with great
distinction as a patrol officer, a field training officer, a vice
officer, and a senior deputy sheriff; in addition, she earned
certification as a master scuba diver and was recognized with the
Unit Citation Award for her efforts with the department's
Underwater Recovery Team; moreover, she was nominated as the 2010
Officer of the Year by the American Legion; and
WHEREAS, Above all else, Ms. Hollis found true fulfillment in
moments shared with her loved ones; she delighted in traveling and
diving with her son, Mason, and she and her mother, Vicki, nurtured
their close bond through volunteering at animal rescue shelters and
browsing in vintage shops; and
WHEREAS, Jessica Hollis upheld the highest standards of her
profession, and although she will be deeply missed, those who were
privileged to share in the richness of her life will forever cherish
their memories of her warmth, her generosity, and her profound
commitment to public service; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Senior Deputy Jessica
Hollis and extend sincere condolences to the members of her family:
to her husband, Ricky Hollis; to her son, Mason Hollis; to her
mother, Vicki Wright; to her stepfather, Bill Wright, and his
partner, Eva Lee; to her father, Rick Hall, and his wife, Dale
Freeman; to her siblings, Wade Wright, Crystal Fulfer and her
husband, Weston, Katherine Lively and her husband, Billy, and
Taylor Hall and his wife, Bianca; to her grandmother, Jessie Hall;
to her mother-in-law, Melody Hollis; and to her other relatives and
many friends; 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 Jessica
Hollis.