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DECATUR -- Fearless was how Sgt. Randy White's bosses and fellow officers described the native Oklahoman at his funeral Tuesday.
The 32-year-old officer was unafraid to confront criminals, said Chief Randy Singleton.He was also unafraid to choose spending time with his wife and 5-year-old daughter over opportunities to make extra money working part-time jobs, and unafraid to share his Christian faith, added Assistant Chief Steve Stanford."He was," Singleton said, "fearless in the face of adversity, but he was also gentle and compassionate, especially to the victims of crime."White also was not timid about pulling for the University of Oklahoma Sooners, even though he had settled in Texas. "I'd like to say he was a perfect individual," Stanford said, "but I can't. He loved the Sooners."The comment stirred laughter at the First Baptist Church of Decatur where about 500 public safety professionals joined White's family in celebrating his life.White was killed Thursday when his parked patrol car was rear-ended during a high-speed chase in Bridgeport. He was a five-year veteran of the police force there.The driver of the SUV that hit White, who reportedly has admitted to intentionally hitting the patrol car, remained in custody Tuesday, facing a charge of capital murder.White, who also served with the Alvarado Police Department, was Bridgeport's first police officer to be killed in the line of duty.He was honored Tuesday with the solemn traditions that are given an officer killed on the job, but the funeral was also filled with humor as colleagues and family remembered him as a crafty practical joker.Brother-in-law John Russell of Wynnewood, Okla., said White was in Heaven "patrolling the streets of gold," but taking time to pull a prank on someone important, like Moses.Russell read a statement from White's wife, Janet, who described him as "a Christian first, a husband second, a daddy third and a police officer fourth."But, she wrote, "He put 100 percent of himself into all four areas."Janet recalled how she was diagnosed with breast cancer last summer, but he never wavered during her treatments."Little did I know what a precious gift of time that I had with Randy," she said. "He comforted me physically and emotionally. He was my rock and, walking together with our God, we beat cancer."Janet said her other precious gift was their daughter, Jadyn, because "every time I look at her, I see Randy."She praised the Bridgeport Police Department for its support. "I plan on keeping them as part of my family," she said.The feeling was mutual, Chief Singleton said.He said that whenever an officer dies, his identification number is usually retired, and White's number was 804."But we're not going to retire it," the chief said. "We're going to reassign it, and from this day forward, Janet White is 804."Singleton conveyed condolences from Texas Gov. Rick Perry. He also presented a letter from a new admirer of White -- a person "from Norman" who never met the officer, but who became aware of his devotion to Oklahoma.Sooners head football coach Bob Stoops sent the letter to the police department, Singleton said, but it was addressed to Janet and Jadyn White.He wrote that "too often we choose the wrong role models," based on fame or notoriety. But, Stoops added, there could be no finer example than "the wonderful life of Sgt. Randy White."Singleton also honored White with a military-like command to members of Bridgeport's 17-officer department. "Put your cover on," he barked. Then the police force, including Singleton and Stanford, replaced their uniform hats with crimson OU ball caps.They wore the caps through the end of the service.Then a procession of uniformed men and women passed by White's casket, many of them snapping salutes.And when they finished, Singleton approached the family and quietly gave his OU cap to Jadyn.Memorial fundsSergeant Randy White Benefit AccountFirst State BankP.O. Box 338Bridgeport, TX 76426940-683-6300Officer Randy White Memorial FundCommunity Bank507 U.S. 380Bridgeport, TX 76426940-683-4191BILL MILLER, 817-390-7684
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