SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 212
WHEREAS, Captain Shawn Stephenson, Lieutenant Jeff Evans,
and Sergeant Steve Tippett of the Texas Department of Public
Safety and game warden Cody Buckaloo of the Texas Parks and
Wildlife Department are being honored with Life Saving Awards
from the Texas Department of Public Safety on February 21, 2019,
in recognition of their roles in the rescue of four Texans during
the recent Llano River flood; and
WHEREAS, On October 8, 2018, the city of Junction was
pummeled by more than 18 inches of rain in the span of less than
24 hours, causing the Llano River to spill over its banks; the
flooding was particularly perilous to nearby recreational
vehicle campgrounds, and as the river swelled to over 31 feet
high, the onrush of water toppled and destroyed travel trailers
and carried away many of their occupants; and
WHEREAS, Summoned to the area as part of a Texas Department
of Public Safety helicopter crew, Captain Shawn Stephenson and
Lieutenant Jeff Evans immediately began locating survivors and
managed to save a man who was stranded in a cluster of trees; they
subsequently linked up with Warden Cody Buckaloo, a rescue
swimmer, and the three officers successfully pulled two more
individuals and a pet dog out of the waters near the Main Street
Bridge; and
WHEREAS, Captain Stephenson and Lieutenant Evans were
later joined by Sergeant Steve Tippett, who took over the
responsibilities of rescue swimmer from Warden Buckaloo, and the
three men were called to conduct the rescue of a woman who had
been struggling to stay afloat for hours; the fast-moving current
made it difficult for Sergeant Tippett to reach the woman, and
the team was forced to devise an alternative strategy; just as
Sergeant Tippett entered the water, the victim succumbed to
exhaustion and went under, but the officer was able to pull her to
the surface and attach a harness; she was then rushed to the
hospital and ultimately survived the harrowing ordeal thanks to
the crew's courageous intervention; and
WHEREAS, These public servants demonstrated a tremendous
amount of technical skill and a willingness to perform their
duties at great risk to themselves, and through their exceptional
bravery, they helped prevent further loss of life; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 86th
Legislature, hereby congratulate Captain Shawn Stephenson,
Lieutenant Jeff Evans, Sergeant Steve Tippett, and Warden Cody
Buckaloo on their receipt of Life Saving Awards from the Texas
Department of Public Safety and extend to them heartfelt
gratitude for their heroism; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be
prepared for each officer as an expression of high regard by the
Texas Senate.
Buckingham
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on February 19, 2019.
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Secretary of the Senate
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Member, Texas Senate