Travis County Commissioners Court
March 3, 2009,
Item 5
5.
approve resolution honoring dan t.
richards for 22 years of service to Travis County and expressing appreciation for a life of public service.
we have been advised that -- that a couple of the recipients here need to run to another commitment.
and which is why I'm taking 5 before 4.
should I read it?
it reads whereas dan t.
richards came to work for Travis County in January of 1981 as chief deputy to then sheriff don bailey, then served as chief deputy under three sheriffs and also served as our 35th sheriff when he was sworn in as acting sheriff to complete the unexpired term of doyne bailey, he gave Travis County 22 years of faithful, forth right and dedicated service.
whereas dan was recognized as a leader who took a little more than his share of the blame and a little less than his share of the credit, qualities we all should have.
he demonstrated a tenacious and unselfish commitment to fighting, developing and maintaining safe communities and fostering peace and justice.
whereas during his employment with Travis County dan served as chairman of the capital area planning council, training and advisory committee and as a member of the criminal justice systems committee.
he was also appointed to the community justice task force and twice served as chairman.
whereas not one to rest on his distinguished professional accomplishments achieved at Travis County, during this time, dan also demonstrated another impressive ability when he met, courted and then married a lovely Travis County judicial court employee, deborah kitchens.
dan was particularly proud of this feat and many of us noticed that this loving union gave dan an even better working deposition and seemed to put a little extra pep in his step.
whereas a humble and righteous man, dan t.
richards was loved and appreciated by all of us and was a special gift to his devoted wife deborah, nurturing and caring mother and stepfather, gladys and james davidson, children and their spouses, ben and wife julie, and andy and wife lena, heath and wife christie and stayson and lisa.
dan was a proud brother and will be sorely missed by his siblings, david, frank, cindy, linda and john and their families.
whereas as it is written in proverbs 17-6, grandchildren are our young glory, dan felt especially blessed and received joy being pawpaw to megan, brook, kimberly, jeremy, riley and kaitlynn.
whereas on Sunday, February 22nd, 2009, dan peacefully entered eternal rest.
firmly assured of the joy that is declared in second timothy 4, 7 and 8, I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
now -- now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness which the lord the righteous judge will award to me on that day.
and not only to me, but to all who have longed for his appearing.
whereas to dan's family, former colleagues and friends, we pray that you find some measure of comfort in god's message to us and in 2nd corinthians 5 and 8, we are confident, I say and willing to be absent from the body and be present with the lord.
now there ever be it resolved that we the members of the Travis County Commissioners court, do hereby proper -- join the Travis County sheriff's office in extending heartfelt sympathy to the bereeved family and express our admiration and gratitude for such an astonishing great leader, colleague and friend, chief deputy dan t.
richards.
may the precious memories of chief richards sustain each of us in the days ahead.
weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
and I move approval.
>> second.
>> good morning.
>> thank you, judge Biscoe and Commissioners.
i'm ben richards, dan's son.
that is my wife julie and his wife deborah and I believe you know sheriff frasier and roger wade.
i have a statement here from -- from -- that deborah wrote and I wanted to read it.
one of dan's highest priorities and goals was to make a difference in others lives and in his corner of the world.
this resolution supports and honors and documents that dan was successful in that endeavor.
and that he did make a difference.
and we as a family, as his family and friends, want to thank you individually and as a body.
it really means a lot to us.
so we really appreciate it.
thank you.
>> thanks so much for sharing him with us as well.
i think we were all enriched by getting to know him and seeing his wonderfully happy hellos and you knew that -- that his -- he was just full of integrity.
and you walked away feeling much better.
thank you.
>> thank you.
>> sheriff frasier was never known to -- to pass up a speaking opportunity.
>> all I'll say is thank you, court.
appreciate it.
>> thank all of you for coming down.
he -- he will be greatly missed.
>> judge, thank you.
on behalf of the sheriff's office I want to say thank you to you and most especially to sheryl for authoring this and we really, really appreciate it.
>> if there's anything that we can do to assist, let us know.
>> thank you.
>> thank you so much.
>> thank you.
>> thank y'all.
>> all in favor?
that passes by unanimous vote.
we will call up four and then 31.
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Last Modified:
Tuesday, March 3, 2009 2:17 PM