Today, DPS honored Texas officers killed in the line of duty at the 2019 DPS Peace Officer Memorial Service.
Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar said many troopers have been killed in the line of duty and thousands more who have been injured.
“Unfortunately over time we’ve had 221 troopers fallen over the years. Thankfully we did not have one this last year in 2018,” said Hegar.
DPS Sergeant Richard Standifer said the family of Trooper Terry Wayne Miller placed the memorial wreath during the ceremony. Trooper Miller was killed in the line of duty 20 years ago in October 1999.
“It was a tragic loss. It was unexpected. And, we have a wall of honor that we pay tribute to him along with other troopers that have lost their lives,” said Standifer. “The most recent one being Damon Allen who was killed on the side of the road. He was actually shot to death while making a traffic stop.”
He said the majority of troopers are killed in the line of duty or hit by vehicles during traffic stops.
Hegar said despite daily stress, troopers continue to do their jobs—and might not realize how much danger they're in daily.
"And they have to come with so many things in their daily lives, yet, they continue to do it with unbelievable discipline, they're measured, careful, ethical and passion and response to make sure that we have our safety every single day."
He said troopers have physical, spiritual and mental dangers and stress, work long hours and see the best and worst in human nature.