Gov. Rick Perry, R-Texas, issued the following news release:
Gov. Rick Perry today honored peace officers, firefighters and emergency medical first responders who have been seriously injured or killed in the line of duty for the sacrifices they have made to protect Texans. The governor spoke at the annual Star of Texas Awards.
"Surviving a crisis situation through the fast work of a paramedic, the steely courage of a firefighter, or the timely intervention of a police officer is like having your life given back to you," Gov. Perry said. "The people we honor here today are the best our state has to offer, people for whom honor, courage and dedication aren't just labels, but a way of life."
The Star of Texas Awards were created through House Bill 1937 in 2003 to honor and commemorate individuals who have made profound commitments while performing their duties as peace officers, firefighters and emergency medical first responders. HB 1937 also designated September 11th as Texas First Responders Day.
In 2005, the award was expanded to include all peace officers, firefighters and emergency medical first responders who were seriously injured or killed in the line of duty on or after Sept. 1, 2003. The awards were further expanded in 2007 by HB 1164 to include federal law enforcement officers or special agents seriously injured or killed while performing duties in Texas to assist a state or local law enforcement agency.
This year's award recipients are as follows:
Peace Officers Killed in the Line of Duty:
Officer Rodney Tomlinson Holder - Abilene Police Department
Officer Eydelman Mani - Houston Police Department
Senior Police Officer Henry Canales - Houston Police Department
Firefighters Killed in the Line of Duty
Firefighter Conhway Matthew Johnson - Oak Hill Fire Department
First Responders Killed in the Line of Duty
Paramedic Tracy Renee Chambers - Life Flight
Peace Officers Seriously Injured in the Line of Duty
Sergeant Gary Edward Smith - Temple Police Department
Officer Marlon Antonio Reed - Temple Police Department
Officer Andres Guerra - El Paso Police Department
Patrolman Brandy Roell - San Antonio Police Department
Patrolman Lawrence W. Robarts - San Antonio Police Department
Patrolman Richard Ruiz - San Antonio Police Department
Patrolman Jeremy Swindells - San Antonio Police Department
Patrolman Gregory O. Severns - San Antonio Police Department
For more information about the Star of Texas Awards, please visit http://governor.state.tx.us/cjd/star_awards/
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