FORT WORTH (WBAP/KLIF News ) – Hundreds of North Texans gathered Wednesday night to take part in the Fort Worth Police Departments’ candlelight vigil to honor a fallen officer.
Sergeant Billy Randolph was killed while working a fiery wreck on I-35 near Sycamore School Road when he was fatally hit by a suspected drunk driver who was travelling the wrong way early Monday morning.
Fort Worth Police Chief Neil Noakes spoke at the vigil outside the South Division building.
“He would never ask his team to do anything he wouldn’t do…and he didn’t just say to them that he would show that every single day. They would run into a brick wall for him. They would run into a hail of bullets for him. Why? Because they know that’s what he would do for them. That’s why he’s a hero,” he said.
Family friends fought back tears as they recounted how Randolph impacted their lives.
“I am forever grateful to have had the greatest pleasure of having to have known Billy…but to love him and be loved by him,” said one attendee.
He served in the U.S. Air Force and served with the Fort Worth Police Department for almost thirty years. The veteran officer leaves behind an extensive family.
Family and friends noted that Tuesday would have been Randolph’s birthday. They’re now having to plan his funeral instead of celebrating another year.
25-year-old De Aujalae Evans is charged with Intoxication Manslaughter Causing the Death of a Peace Officer in connection to Randolph’s death.
The department has invited the public to attend a celebration of life for Randolph on Saturday, August 17, at the Christ Chapel Bible Church in Fort Worth at 10 a.m.
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