Sponsored by:

Plano and Roanoke

Remember the Fallen Heroes

Music by:

Blues, Classic and Southern Rock

Dunk A Cop ~ Saturday, July 18th @ Sonic on Northwest Highway

Remember the Fallen Heroes Motorcycle Ride ~ Saturday, August 15, 2009

Details of Both Events and Sponsors

In memory of Grapevine Police Officer Darren Medlin, Dallas Reserve Officer Sheldon Gordon, Fort Worth SWAT Officer Hank Nava, and Dallas Gang Unit Senior Corporal Norman Smith

 
 

Police Officer Darren Glen Medlin

Grapevine Police Department

End of Watch: Saturday, June 12, 2004

Biographical Info Age: 34

Tour of Duty: 8 years

Badge Number: 6320

Cause of Death: Vehicular assault

Date of Incident: Saturday, June 12, 2004

Weapon Used: Automobile; Alcohol involved

Officer Medlin was struck and killed by an automobile being operated by an intoxicated driver. Officer Medlin was walking up to a vehicle he had stopped on Texas Highway 121 in Euless when the incident occurred. The suspect, Roy Alvin Adams Jr., was arrested and charged with intoxicated manslaughter and using his vehicle as a deadly weapon. He was found guilty of the charge on August 2, 2005. The following day he was sentenced to 12.5 years in prison. Officer Medlin had served with the Grapevine Police Department for 4 years. He had previously served as a game warden with the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife for 4 years. Officer Medlin is survived by his wife, two children, two stepchildren, mother and sister.

Dallas Reserve Officer Sheldon Gordon

Dallas Police Department

End of Watch: Sunday, December 12, 2004

Biographical Info Age: 63

Tour of Duty: 37 years

Badge Number:

Cause of Death: Vehicular assault

Date of Incident: Sunday, December 12, 2004

Weapon Used: Automobile; Alcohol involved

Officer Gordon was struck and killed by a hit-and-run intoxicated driver traveling at an estimated speed of 70 miles per hour. Jose Guadalupe Saldana sideswiped Officer Gordon's private car near Forest Lane and Midway Road. Mr. Gordon, 63, was traveling in uniform to volunteer at the White Rock Lake marathon when Saldana's white Ford Crown Victoria struck his car. Police charged 24-year-old Jose Guadalupe Saldana with failure to stop and render aid.

SWAT Officer Henry (Hank) Nava Jr.

Fort Worth Police Department

End of Watch: Thursday, December 1, 2005

Biographical Info Age: 39

Tour of Duty: 18 years

Badge Number: 3084

Cause of Death: Gunfire

Date of Incident: Tuesday, November 29, 2005

Weapon Used: Handgun; 9 mm

Officer Nava died of a gunshot wound he received two days earlier when he attempted to arrest Stephen Lance Heard on a warrant. Officer Nava and two other officers went to the suspect's mobile home to arrest him on a parole violation warrant. The officers were invited inside the residence by a female who resided there. The female gave the officers verbal consent to enter and search for the suspect after stating to them that the suspect was not at the location. As the Officers entered she alerted the suspect by stating loudly "the police are here and are going to search the house." As Officer Nava opened a bedroom door, the suspect emerged with a 9mm handgun and shot Officer Nava in the head, just above the left eye. After shooting Officer Nava, the suspect fled to a nearby home where he took the female resident hostage for two hours, before releasing her and surrendering to police. Officer Nava was taken to Harris Methodist Fort Worth Hospital where he died two days later from his wound. The suspect was convicted of capital murder on November 13, 2007. Officer Nava had served with the Fort Worth Police Department for 14 years, and had previously served with the Austin Park Police Department for 3 years and the Plano Police Department for 1 year. Officer Nava is survived by his wife, daughter, and son.

Gang Unit Senior Corporal Norman Smith

Dallas Police Department

End of Watch: Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Biographical Info Age: 43

Tour of Duty: 18 years

Badge Number: 6613

Cause of Death: Gunfire

Date of Incident: Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type

Senior Corporal Smith was shot and killed as he attempted to serve an arrest warrant. Corporal Smith and several members of the Gang Unit went to a home on Wadsworth Drive in Dallas to service an arrest warrant for aggravated assault. When Corporal Smith knocked on the front door of the home, he was shot and killed. Members of the Dallas Police SWAT team were able to make entry into the apartment and arrest three suspects, including the suspected shooter Charles Patrick Payne. Corporal Smith had served with the Dallas Police Department for 18 years and was assigned to the Gang Unit. His murder occurred on the day before this 18th anniversary with the department. Corporal Smith is survived by his wife, who also serves with the Dallas Police Department, and two children.
Questions about this web site? Contact Dave Perry at (817) 905-5216 or email at dperry1943@hotmail.com