I will be reburying my best friend Friday.

[TX-RAT]

At least it's sure going to feel like it.
I was asked by the family to say a few words at his new Memorial dedication. His memorial was moved from where the incident took place to in front of the DPS office.

Troy Merle Hogue was killed in the line of duty, Dec 30th 1994, while investigating a 1 vehicle accident, just east of Big Spring TX. He was shot point blank in the head by a 17 yr old piece of shit. It was hard enough attending the funeral, and then his first memorial service, but having to speak at this one's going to be a gut wrencher.

Troy and i were friends, we hunted together, fished together, him and his lovely wife came over often to play cards or just BS. His son and my daughter were born on the same day, and at the same hospital. I have a picture of him and i standing side by side holding the newborns, it hangs in my office. When he was with the Police Dept, i was with the Sheriffs Dept. When he made Lieutenant, i made Chief Deputy. When he was excepted by the DPS, I was elected Sheriff. We spent countless hours chasing quail behind my dogs. I miss him as much today, as the day it happen.

He was closer than a brother.
He was my best friend.

A little info.
www.capitol.state.us/tio/billtext/HC00095.HTM
www.txdps.state.tx.us/memorial/Gallery.HTM Scroll down please.

[ewagner]

1. I'm sorry for your loss

Speak from the heart my friend, and let the emotions flow....

[TX-RAT]

7. Emotions aren't hard for me.

I'm pretty much a ball-bag, when it comes to this.

Thank You.

[TX-RAT]

43. I would like to thank all of you who responded, and those that didn't.

It seems there was so much traffic on the DPS Gallery, and other pages, that they almost crashed. Because of you, Troy was taken far beyond the local Hero we knew and loved.

This bunch of Knucklehead's never cease to amaze me.

FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART, THANK YOU.
You've made an old man proud.
And so is TROY

[redqueen]

2. Aw, TX

I'm so very sorry...

[TX-RAT]

21. Thank You

[cassandra uprising]

3. To say I'm sorry

sounds so grossly inadequate. You have my thoughts and prayers.

:hug:

[TX-RAT]

20. Thank You

[NoSheep]

4. Losing your best friend. I can't imagine. Friends are often closer than

family. I don't know too many disfunctional friendships.:hug:

[TX-RAT]

19. You pick your friends.

Thank You

[Left Is Write]

5. I'm so sorry.

I'm sorry for your loss and pain.

[TX-RAT]

18. Thank You

[JanMichael]

6. He was a nice looking man

I am sorry everyone lost him.

Stephanie

[TX-RAT]

17. His son looks just like him.

Thank You

[Bunny]

8. I'm sorry for your loss.

In scrolling down that list, I was surprised at the number of officers who died in vehicle accidents. I don't know why that surprised me, given that they were in the Highway Patrol, but it still seemed like a lot of men.

[Wickerman]

9. That was beautiful, TXRat

His family is lucky to have you to help them through these times. Thanks for all you do.

[TX-RAT]

14. His family's, my family, nothing i wouldn't do for them.

Thanks Wickerman.

[Wickerman]

16. We'll be thinking of you on Friday

:thumbsup:

[TX-RAT]

27. A Little more to the story.

I had to watch the dash cam video, during the investigation. He was caught completely off guard, theres no way he could have know the kid had a weapon, all he knew at the time, was he had an accident with an injured juvenile. When Troy and Trooper Sparks ( Sparks was a Rookie in training) got to the right front door of the SO cruiser, the kid who had been complaining of a leg injury, pulled out an old 455 Webley revolver from his boot and shot him point blank. Troy never felt a thing, I hope. He then turned his weapon on Trooper Sparks, but before he could get a round off, Howard County Sheriffs Deputy Cliff McCartney took him to the ground.
Trooper Sparks was never able to get over this ( I don't believe i could have either, one moment your partners dead, the next moment your staring down the same barrel) he spent about 6 more months with the DPS and resigned.
Had it not been for the quick actions of Deputy McCartney, most likely there would have been 2 Troopers dead.

[Wickerman]

41. Jesus, that is a helluva story

next time I am down that way you and I are gonna have that drink - I'm buying.

[TX-RAT]

42. Your on. Would be proud to have ya.

By the way, the kid who shot Troy ( Levi Lee Edmonson ) is doing life with no chance of Parole in Huntsville.

[auntAgonist]

10. Speak from the heart, and know that he would be honoured

by your love and friendship. Include these things that you've told us. Please accept my deepest sympathy in the loss of your friend/brother, you will be in my thoughts.

sincerely.
auntAgonist aka kesha.

[TX-RAT]

13. Thank You

[Rowdyboy]

11. Looks like the kind of guy you'd enjoy drinking a beer with,

then fire up the grill and play a little poker. What a tragic shame.

[TX-RAT]

12. His claim to fame was Mexican food and Coronas.

Thank you

[smbolisnch]

15. I am so sorry for your loss TX-RAT

That is so terrible. :grouphug:

[TX-RAT]

28. Thank You

[Shell Beau]

22. That has to be tough.

I am sorry for your loss. He sounds like one hell of a guy. He was certainly brave. :hug:

[TX-RAT]

29. He was our HERO

Thank You

[funkybutt]

23. He'd want you to speak TX-RAT, you'll do fine

something along the lines of what you just said here. That was a beautiful post.

[TX-RAT]

30. Thank You

[NorthernSpy]

24. that's really rough, TX

I'm very sorry.

Hang in there!

[TX-RAT]

31. Thanks NorthernSpy

[Zuni]

25. I'm so sorry

senseless...absolutely senseless

[TX-RAT]

32. Yes it was.

Thank You

[GreenPartyVoter]

26. I am really sorry :^(

[TX-RAT]

33. Thank You

[libodem]

34. how sad

what a heartbreak to go though it, twice. Best friends are worth everything. Very sorry for your loss. I couldn't stop crying when my best friend from high school, passed. Her child consoled, ME. I had zero control over my emotions the day of her memorial. Hold on to the good memories.

[TX-RAT]

37. Thank You

[cally]

35. I'll think of you on Friday

:hug: It's sad when great men die way too young.

[TX-RAT]

38. Thank You

[myrna minx]

36. He sounds like a wonderful person.

Eleven years later, you have been able to honor him, and breathe new life into his memory by sharing his story and your relationship with us. What a wonderful tribute. It is amazing that your children share a birthday-which is a never ending bond you share with him. A toast to Troy.

[TX-RAT]

39. breathe new life into his memory

With your permission, I'd love to use that quote.

Thank You

[myrna minx]

40. Absolutely.

We will be thinking of you on Friday. :hug: