Local law enforcement and Pittsburg residents gather to honor fallen officer Darren Goforth
Law enforcement officers in Camp County joined with LEOs all over the State of Texas as they paused for a moment of silence Friday, Sept. 4 at exactly 11 a.m. in honor of Harris County Sheriff's Deputy Darren Goforth.
Deputy Goforth was shot in the back this week while gassing up his patrol car. Shannon J. Miles, the man accused in the shooting, is in custody in Harris County.
Funeral services for Deputy Goforth began at 11 a.m. and were expected to be one of the biggest for a fallen officer in the Houston area.
Camp County and Pittsburg officers parked their vehicles in a cross in the Smith Furniture parking lot, with doors open as they stood silently beside their vehicles. At exactly 11 a.m., a radio call came in stating that all officers should turn on their emergency lights and the station would maintain one minute of silence.
The officers then stood silent and the minute ticked by, many stood with bowed heads. Many civilian supporters were also present. James Lemaire, a wounded Vietnam veteran, having heard about the memorial, stood beside the road with a sign to help alert the public of the event.
“When I heard about this I had to do something,” Mr. Lamaire said.
After the moment of silence another radio call came returning the officers to their regular duties. Attendees, including the civilians, gathered at the crux of the cross formed by the cars and paused for a prayer.
Texas Governor Gregg Abbott issued a statement Wednesday, Sept. 2, asking that all law officers turn on their lights in honor of Deputy Goforth on Friday. Upon hearing about this, Camp County Judge Thomas Cravey, who is a retired Texas peace officer, sent out an email to all local LEOs asking them to gather and participate in the memorial.
Pittsburg Mayor Shawn Kennington also attended Friday’s event.
“It is a good thing for the community to show support for our own law enforcement officers by coming out to support them in this memorial for Deputy Goforth,” Mayor Kennington said. “Our police risk their lives every day, and that’s real.”
Pittsburg Police Chief Richard Penn said, “The outpouring of support by our community, today and everyday makes us proud to serve. Sir Robert Peel said it best in late 1800’s when he said the police are the public and the public are the police. We are grateful for the continued support and ask that you keep us and our families in your prayers.”
By Ellis Knox, reporter@campcountynow.com - To continue reading this article, purchase the print edition of The Pittsburg Gazette or go to our online e-edition at:http://www.etypeservices.com/
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