Texas Tech police patrol cars flashed their red and blue lights in unison at 11 a.m. Friday to commemorate Darren Goforth, a slain Harris County sheriff’s deputy who was shot a week ago at a gas station after filling up his patrol car.
The tribute followed a call from Gov. Greg Abbott on Wednesday, asking all Texas officers to turn on their red and blue lights for one minute, coinciding with the start of Goforth’s funeral service in Houston.
Capt. Steve Hinkle of the Texas Tech Police Department said any attack on a law enforcement officer evokes concerns in all communities.
“You know, our job is to ensure the safety of the campus and our faculty, staff and students,” Hinkle said. “When something happens outside of the campus, it affects everybody.”
Several staff members and students also gathered for a prayer at Memorial Circle on Friday morning. The attendees included Texas Tech Facilities Planning and Construction employees Rick Richeda, Chris Curbo and Luke Reeger; TTU students Aaron Ellis and Lydia Horehlad; and Jeff Kennon, director of the Baptist Student Ministry on campus.
The prayer was organized by Curbo via Facebook and email announcements. Curbo said he spearheaded the initiative because it is important to show police officers that they have the community’s support.
“We used to want a police car on our block,” Curbo said. “That meant safety and protection, and now these police officers have to park their police cars in the garage and hide.”
“If they don’t feel safe, they can’t keep us safe,” he added. “We just want them to feel like they are cared about and can do their job.”
[Note: Look for an in-depth story about the relationship between local law enforcement and the community, coming soon to The Hub@TTU.]
About Allison Terry
