In memory of Deputy Melissa Pollard of the Wood County Sheriff's Office.

89(R) HR 862 - Enrolled version - Bill Text

H.R. No. 862

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, Deputy Melissa Pollard of the Wood County Sheriff's

Office died in the line of duty on April 9, 2025, at the age of 47,

and her untimely passing has brought a heartbreaking loss to her

family, her fellow officers, and her community; and

WHEREAS, Born on March 14, 1978, in Paris, Texas, to Leonard

Keith and Pamela Vickers Pollard, Melissa Pollard grew up with the

companionship of two sisters, Kelee and Angela; she embarked on a

career in law enforcement in Collin County in 2003, and she remained

there for a decade before transferring to Fannin County in 2013; and

WHEREAS, Deputy Pollard had been a valued member of the Wood

County Sheriff's Office since 2016; she fulfilled her duties with

honor, skill, and compassion, and she greatly benefited her

department through her efforts to train and mentor newer recruits;

over the course of her 22-year career, she furthered her

professional development by earning certifications as an advanced

peace officer, field training officer, instructor, training

coordinator, jailer, and school-based law enforcement officer; in

recognition of her service and sacrifice, she was awarded the

Police Cross; and

WHEREAS, Outside of her professional endeavors, Deputy

Pollard was an active supporter of Project Lifesaver, a program

that assists individuals with cognitive disorders, and she

tirelessly advocated for the well-being of animals through her

involvement with the SPCA; and

WHEREAS, Deeply devoted to her family, Deputy Pollard was the

loving mother of a daughter, Sydney, as well as the doting "Mimi" of

three grandchildren, Cayden, Evelynn, and Khai; she also adored her

two Great Danes, Apollo and Nova, and she enjoyed spending her

leisure time fishing and tending to her garden; and

WHEREAS, Melissa Pollard dedicated her life to her loved ones

and to the welfare of her community, and although she is deeply

missed, she will remain a source of inspiration to all who were

fortunate enough to know her; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas

Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Deputy Melissa

Pollard and extend heartfelt condolences to the members of her

family: to her daughter, Sydney Locke, and her husband, Curtis; to

her grandchildren, Cayden, Evelynn, and Khai; to her sisters, Kelee

Tarno and her husband, John, and Angela Fein and her husband, Josh;

to her partner, Michael Cotton, and his grandson, Easton; to her

nieces and nephews, Ashlynn, Marissa, Joisalyn, Shayla, Haegan,

Keithan, David, and Logan and his wife, Reagan; and to her other

relatives and friends and to her brothers and sisters in blue; and,

be it further

RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be

prepared for her family and that when the Texas House of

Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Melissa

Pollard.

Hefner

Luther

______________________________

Speaker of the House

I certify that H.R. No. 862 was unanimously adopted by a

rising vote of the House on May 23, 2025.

______________________________

Chief Clerk of the House