In memory of Melissa Pollard.

89(R) SR 502 - Enrolled version - Bill Text

SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 502

In Memory

of

Melissa Pollard

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 Senate of the State of Texas, 89th

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 Senate

adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Melissa Pollard.

Hughes

________________________________

President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the

above Resolution was adopted by

the Senate on May 6, 2025, by a

rising vote.

________________________________

Secretary of the Senate

________________________________

Member, Texas Senate