MIDLAND, Texas —
A somber and special memorial service was held on the morning of Tuesday, Oct. 1 for a fallen hero.
Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Kevin Ramirez Vasquez was severely hit by a car at a crash scene in Ector County on Sept. 17. After battling for his life, he died on Sept. 28.
Several West Texas law enforcement agencies came out to the memorial to pay their respects, to honor and to remember Trooper Ramirez Vasquez.
“I believe everybody here was gathered with a heavy heart -- we lost one of our brothers," said Texas Department of Public Safety Sergeant Steven Blanco.
A final sendoff for Trooper Ramirez Vasquez.
“He started off in the U.S. Military – the Army – then he was National Guard and also obviously Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper...He was a young man – his entire life at 25 years old was dedicated to the service of this country and the State of Texas," Sergeant Blanco said.
Odessa Police and Midland Police handled honor guard duties at the memorial, with Midland County Sheriff’s Mounted Patrol on hand too.
Timeline of DPS State Trooper Kevin Alexis Ramirez Vasquez's memorial service
“It was great to see everybody come together to honor his sacrifice," Sergeant Blanco said.
Law enforcement family grieving together.
“With this trooper obviously with DPS and comes out to West Texas and helps support us and helps protect the people of West Texas, man that is truly a life of service -- and God bless him and his family for that," said Odessa Police Chief Mike Gerke.
When asked what the one thing Chief Gerke would say to Trooper Ramirez Vasquez if he could, Chief Gerke replied, “Thank you – absolutely thank you."
A sendoff and also a reminder for drivers in the Permian Basin to pay attention.
“Our first responders are in those crash scenes -- whether that’s Fire, EMS, law enforcement, our TxDOT workers and our wrecker companies – they're all working together to clear these crash scenes," Sergeant Blanco said. "And they all have families, they all want to go home at the end of the day, so please put those phones down [and] please pay attention on the roadway.”
Trooper Ramirez Vasquez was flown home to the Houston area after the memorial.
ReLentless Defender Apparel is holding a Pre-Order T-shirt fundraiser. The shirt's front design features a cowboy kneeling in prayer at a cross, symbolizing Trooper Vasquez's faith and dedication to service. The back design is the Texas Highway Patrol logo with Trooper Vasquez's name. All proceeds will go towards Trooper Vasquez's family.
If interested in a t-shirt, click here. Shirts will start shipping out on Oct. 21.