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Dear ASSIST Member,
On November 15th, 2003 at approximately 1:00 a.m. Security Officer Osvaldo Vera of Texas Patrol was shot and killed while on duty at the Casa Blanca Apartments in North West Dallas. The incident was witnessed by at least 1 person and heard by others. However, no one called the Dallas Police and Officer Vera laid in the parking lot until approximately 4:00 a.m. when someone discovered his body and called the police. It is possible that the perpetrators were involved in an altercation with the apartment management earlier in the day. The post was a 2 Officer, armed post but, the officer was working alone, could not afford a firearm, and was working with an empty holster. The officer was working for $6.00 an hour, supporting a wife, son, and daughter. The family is devastated by this tragedy as well as destitute. They are currently unable to have the body buried and their loved one remains at the funeral home until further financial arrangements are made. The widow has lost the apartment they were living in and are staying with family.
Officer Vera�s funeral services were held on Friday Nov 21st. During the ceremony, Officer Vera�s wife and daughter collapsed and had to be assisted out of the chapel. The Funeral Services were attended by 9 family members and 26 security officers representing 9 different Dallas/Fort Worth Security Companies. We would like to thank Able Security, Chase Bank, Cornerstone Security & Investigations, Crime Strike Security, Metro Security, Protective Services Corp., Ruiz Security, Smith Protective and Statewide Patrol for their show of support at the funeral. On behalf of the Dallas Chapter of ASSIST we would also like to thank all the officers that attended. Thank you to Art Chavez of Crime Strike for his assistance in interacting with the family.
The local chapter of ASSIST has pledged $1,000.00 and the State Board of Assist has pledged $1,000.00 to assist the family. We are asking the members of ASSIST across the State to consider making a donation due to the family�s extreme emotional & financial situation. This officer�s family needs our help to survive. We received pledges for $100.00 from a number of Dallas/Fort Worth Companies. We ask that other firms consider doing whatever they can to help this family. It is up to us to take care of our own.
The Dallas Chapter is coordinating the donations to the widow. Please mail the donations to the Dallas Chapter Secretary, Mike McGregor at Protective Services 203 N. Kirby St. Garland TX 75042.
Checks should be made payable to Mariela Vera. If you have any questions, you may contact Mike McGregor at (972) 485-1970 or Bob Kenney, the Dallas/Fort Worth Chapter President at 972-625-4100.
The State Executive Board of ASSIST is in the process of establishing a Security Officer�s Memorial Fund so that in the future, monies will be more readily available for the families of Security Officers that are killed in the line of duty. We will provide more information on this program once the details are worked out. Meanwhile, we ask that you help in supporting this worthwhile cause.
(UPDATE: The ASSIST Fallen
Officers Fund has now been established. Please click
here for more information.)
Sincerely,
PDF
version available here.
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