85R30707 BK-D
By: Neave H.R. No. 2542
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, In an extraordinary act of heroism, Sergeant Robert
Wayne Watson Jr. of the Dallas Police Department placed himself in
harm's way to save the life of a fellow first responder during a
deadly standoff on May 1, 2017; and
WHEREAS, On that day, Sergeant Watson and other Dallas police
officers were called to a chaotic scene in East Dallas where a man,
armed with a semiautomatic rifle, had shot and killed his roommate
before wounding a neighbor; the gunman proceeded to open fire on
arriving paramedics, one of whom was struck and critically injured;
and
WHEREAS, Before he and other officers were forced to take
cover, Sergeant Watson was able to wound the gunman with a shotgun
blast, causing the individual to retreat into his home; this
allowed Sergeant Watson and two other officers enough time to pull
the paramedic, who had suffered severe blood loss, into the
sergeant's squad car so that he could be rushed to the hospital;
other officers rescued the neighbor, and both of the victims
wounded in the shooting are alive today thanks in part to the
courageous efforts of Sergeant Watson; and
WHEREAS, A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Robert Watson
initially moved to Dallas in 2003 to pursue an education in the
ministry; after serving as the youth pastor at Urban Park Assembly
of God in Dallas, he began his career with the Dallas Police
Department in May 2005; in all his endeavors, he is supported by the
love and affection of a fine family that includes his wife of 15
years, Amy, and their children, Langston, Naysa, and Gideon; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant Robert Watson's valiant response to a
deadly crisis went above and beyond the call of duty, helping to
avert what could have been an even greater tragedy, and he is indeed
deserving of our profound respect and gratitude; now, therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas
Legislature hereby honor Sergeant Robert Wayne Watson Jr. for his
exceptional bravery in rescuing a fellow first responder during an
active-shooter incident 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 Sergeant Watson as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.