Community vigil, funeral honor Sgt. Billy Randolph

Community vigil, funeral honor Sgt. Billy Randolph

Published on August 18, 2024

Fort Worth Police Sgt. Billy Randolph was laid to rest Saturday following emotional funeral services at Christ Chapel Bible Church.

"As we remember Billy Randolph, we celebrate a life well-lived and a legacy of love, service and strength," Police Chief Neil Noakes said. "The compliment I'm hearing the most is the highest compliment one police officer can give another. They say 'Billy was a cop's cop,'" Noakes said.

Last Wednesday evening, scores of residents, fellow officers from around the Dallas-Fort Worth area and local officials gathered in the FWPD South Division parking lot to honor Randolph.

"Fort Worth gathered as one united community to honor the life and sacrifice of a brave soul who gave everything to protect us," Mayor Mattie Parker said at the vigil. "May we find strength in unity and comfort in the legacy of Sgt. Randolph."

Randolph was working a crash scene at I-35W southbound near Sycamore School Road. I-35 had been shut down for approximately three hours due to an 18-wheeler crash that caused a spill.

Randolph was standing on the exit ramp from I-35W to Sycamore School Road when a driver, De Aujalae Evans, 25, of Fort Worth, drove the wrong way up the exit ramp and struck Randolph.

Officers rushed Randolph, a 29-year FWPD veteran, to JPS Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.

Photo:Mourners lift candles in memory and honor of Sgt. Billy Randolph at a community vigil at the South Police Headquarters.

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• Community Safety