Fort Worth holds candlelight vigil for fallen Police Sergeant Billy Randolph
FORT WORTH, Texas - A candlelight vigil was held on Wednesday night to honor fallen Fort Worth Police Sergeant Billy Randolph on what would have been his birthday.
Sgt. Randolph died on duty early Monday morning after being hit by a suspected drunken driver.
Fort Worth city leaders, members of law enforcement and the community gathered at the South Patrol Division for the vigil.
The parking lot was packed with people. Some of them were strangers, and some of them were Randolph’s closest friends and officers.
Law enforcement agencies from across North Texas went to pay their respects.
Those who knew Randolph best addressed the crowd.
"He would never ask his team to do something he wouldn’t do. They would do the same for him. That’s why he’s a hero," said Fort Worth Police Chief Neil Noakes. "Billy’s not just a hero because of the way he died but the way he lived, the way he coached, mentored, the way he put himself in harm’s way for his team."
Randolph’s family also attended the event. They walked up to his police SUV, that’s now become a memorial, and placed birthday cards made by his grandchildren.
The family described him as a hardworking, diligent and respected officer. They also described him as a loving, caring and dedicated husband, father and grandfather.
"He was always looking for a way to make the world a better place," said his brother, Matt Randolph. "He loved life."
Randolph was working a crash on I-35W Monday morning when police say 25-year-old De Aujalae Evans drove the wrong way on an exit ramp and hit the sergeant.
She was arrested and is charged with intoxicated manslaughter of a peace officer among other charges.
Tarrant County records show Evans has been arrested multiple times over the past five years. She was on probation when she hit Sgt. Randolph and was not allowed to consume alcohol at the time of the crash.
Woman accused of killing Fort Worth police officer while driving drunk was on probation
A 25-year-old woman who police say was drunk when she hit and killed Fort Worth Police Sergeant Billy Randolph was on probation at the time of the crash.
A local nonprofit, Back the Blue HQ, sold $20 t-shirts at the rally to raise funds for the officer’s family.
Randolph's family and fellow officers helped design the shirt. It has a picture of the 29-year police veteran, his badge number and a saying that he told his officers every night, "Go forth, conquer, stay safe. Take care of each other."
The memorial ended with everyone lighting a candle and singing Happy Birthday to Randolph.
A celebration of life ceremony will be held at Christ Chapel Bible Church in Fort Worth on Saturday. The service begins at 10 a.m.