Two fallen law-enforcement personnel could have memorial markers placed on Interstate 10 East in their honor following a vote Tuesday by the Kendall County Commissioners Court.
The next step is up to the Texas Department of Transportation, said County Judge Shane Stolarczyk.
The court unanimously approved resolutions requesting markers memorializing Officer Russell “Rusty” Salazar of the Kendall County Community Supervision and Corrections Department and Kendall County sheriff’s Deputy Carlos “Smiley” Ramirez.
“They say a person dies three times. Once when they give their life to Christ, once when they leave this physical Earth, and the third time – when nobody speaks their name,” said Precinct 3 Commissioner Richard Chapman. “This will keep the third one from happening.”
“This is someone who had dedicated himself to the betterment of the community.”
— County Judge Shane Stolarczyk
According to information from the county, Salazar was returning to his office after investigating a case involving a high-risk sex offender. During heavy rainfall with low visibility, Salazar attempted to enter the highway when his vehicle left the road and flipped over four times.
He died Jan. 31, 2019, and is survived by his wife and five children.
“This is someone who had dedicated himself to the betterment of the community,” Stolarczyk said, adding Sheriff Al Auxier supported the measure.
Salazar received multiple awards, including The National Law Enforcement memorial for duty, honor and sacrifice; the Medal of Honor from the Community Services and Corrections Department of Texas; recognition for gang suppression in Texas; recognition from the Governor’s Office; and an “outstanding contribution to the well-being of the community” award from Uvalde.
On Tuesday, both Salazar’s widow, Maggie, and brother, Jesse Salazar, attended the session to witness the unanimous vote by commissioners to support the resolution.
If TxDOT moves ahead, Salazar’s memorial will be between markers 542 and 543.
Ramirez died in the line of duty during a traffic stop conducted by himself and his partner. A vehicle struck Ramirez and the other deputy. While the other deputy survived serious injuries, Ramirez succumbed to his wounds July 2, 2019.
“Before serving Kendall County, Deputy Ramirez also served our country as a U.S. Army Reserve veteran,” Stolarczyk said.
Ramirez is survived by his wife and two children. His proposed memorial is expected to be placed between markers 533 and 534.
Along with the dedicated memorials, the court moved to retire K-9 officer Taja and offer ownership of the dog to her previous handler, former sheriff ’s Deputy Justin Granado. Granado asked if Taja could continue working at another agency, but the commissioners denied his request on that score while still approving Taja’s ownership by Granado — with the caveat Taja is fully retired.
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