H.R. No. 1445
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, In an outstanding demonstration of bravery and
dedication to duty, Cooke County Sheriff's Deputies David Walters
and Marc Parsons, Corporal Justin Stamps, and Fire Marshal Ray
Fletcher helped to rescue a woman and her 10-month-old infant from
raging floodwaters on June 2, 2016; and
WHEREAS, Together, these four individuals responded to the
emergency after the sheriff's office received a report of a vehicle
being swept away; Deputies Walters and Parsons and Fire Marshal
Fletcher immediately donned flotation vests and secured an anchor
point to a nearby tree, where they attached several hundred feet of
rope; meanwhile, Corporal Stamps was further assessing the
situation and directing other responding units; and
WHEREAS, The stranded automobile was pinned against a tree an
eighth of a mile away in swift-moving water that was as deep as
three and a half feet in some places; due to the extreme danger of
the situation and the possibility of the car being dislodged by the
current at any moment, all four men quickly entered the water and
made their way to the vehicle, navigating a part of the distance
beyond the length of the rope; on reaching the woman and her baby,
Deputy Walters gave the mother his flotation vest and, with the
assistance of Corporal Stamps, carried the infant to emergency
services personnel, while Deputy Parsons and Fire Marshal Fletcher
led the woman to safety; and
WHEREAS, Each rescuer was presented with a well-deserved Life
Saving Award by the Cooke County sheriff for their actions on that
harrowing day, and it is indeed a privilege to join in expressing
heartfelt gratitude to these courageous public servants; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas
Legislature hereby commend Deputies David Walters and Marc Parsons,
Corporal Justin Stamps, and Fire Marshal Ray Fletcher for their
daring rescue of a woman and child on June 2, 2016, and extend to
them sincere gratitude for their remarkable heroism; and, be it
further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Deputies Walters and Parsons, Corporal Stamps, and
Fire Marshal Fletcher as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.
Springer
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 1445 was adopted by the House on April
27, 2017, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House