Hundreds gathered at Childress High School on Wednesday to pay their respects to a 27-year-old trooper tragically killed in the line of duty, a media release from the Texas Department of Public Safety said.
Texas Highway Patrol Trooper Sergio Romero died in a crash June 17 on U.S. Highway 287 near Childress while trying to conduct a traffic stop, the DPS said.
Romero’s wife, Francisca, and two young sons were surrounded by family and friends as they said their final goodbyes to the Trooper who joined DPS last year, officials said.
“In his short life, Trooper Romero proved to be a true lawman who proudly wore the badge and the Texas tan,” DPS Col. Freeman F. Martin said.
“There is no doubt that he cared about the people of his community, and we will ensure that everyone remembers his legacy and the sacrifice he made in service of the state he loved,” said Martin said, who attended Romero’s funeral. “I ask that you please continue to keep his wife, two sons, friends and colleagues in your prayers as they navigate this unimaginable loss.”
Romero was attempting to conduct a traffic stop around 4 p.m. June 17 along U.S. Highway 287 near Childress when a truck-tractor semi-trailer pulled out in front of him, causing his patrol unit to collide with the vehicle, the DPS said. Romero died at the scene.
The crash remains under investigation, the DPS said.
Romero was a member of Recruit Class B-2025, graduating in September 2025, the DPS said. He was stationed in Childress.
The father of two lived a life of service, starting his law enforcement career with the Memphis Police Department and then the Hall County Sheriff’s Office before joining DPS, officials said.
Romero is the 244th DPS officer to die in the line of duty since 1823, the DPS said.
Texas State Sen. Charles Perry attended the service and was joined by Texas Public Safety Commission Chairman Steven P. Mach and commissioners Nelda Luce Blair, Larry B. Long and Dan Hord III.
In addition, DPS Lt. Col. Walt Goodson, Lt. Col. Jason Taylor, THP Chief Bryan Rippee and other DPS leaders from across the state also came to pay their respects.
This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: Hundreds gather to honor fallen Texas trooper, ‘a true lawman’
Reporting by Staff reports, Wichita Falls Times Record News / Wichita Falls Times Record News
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By Staff reports, Wichita Falls Times Record News | USA TODAY Network
