National Police Week honors death of Falls County Deputy

(Falls County, Texas) May 11, 2020 In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation which designated May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as National Police Week. Normally, tens of thousands of law enforcement officers from around the world converge on Washington, DC, to participate in planned events which honor those that have paid the ultimate sacrifice.

This year, fallen Deputy Matt Jones, who was struck by a hydroplaning vehicle as he assisted a driver whose vehicle slid off the road in October of 2019, was to be honored during the 32nd Annual Candlelight Vigil, held in Washington DC. Though the event has been cancelled for public attendance, the ceremony will go on virtually. Jones’ name will be engraved into the national memorial, along with numerous officers whose watch ended in 2019.

The Candlelit Vigil will take place on Wednesday, May 13 at 7 p.m. CST. It can be viewed at https://nleomf.org/, but participants must register to watch the event beforehand.

Jones will also be honored by the American Police Hall of Fame & Museum, during their annual memorial service. Jones’ name will be forever engraved into the walls of the Hall of Fame Museum so that his legacy will live forever. 

The service is set to take place virtually on May 15 at 7 p.m. Those who registered for the event should have received an email stating how to participate.

The Falls County Sheriff’s Office has multiple walls in their office dedicated to previously fallen officers. Deputy Matt Jones’ wall holds a plaque from the Riesel Police Department/City of Riesel, a Medal of Honor from the American Police Hall of Fame, a mirrored memorial plaque from the Central Texas Area Chiefs of Police and Sheriff’s Association, and a large metal cut-out in the shape of his badge, as seen ________above/below/left/right____________.

There is also a clipping from the Waco News-Tribune from August 23, 1973, honoring fallen deputies Dean Humphus and Elbert Watkins. Both men were unexpectedly and brutally shot twice by an armed suspect a few weeks prior. They were the first deaths seen by Sheriff Bradley Pamplin, who had been in office for 27 years at that point. 

According to current Falls County Sheriff Ricky Scaman, the newspaper clipping lives there so that the service given by the two fallen officers will never be forgotten. A copy of the article is ahown below.

For more information on National Police Week or to view the virtual events schedule, head to www.policeweek.org/.