His family requested an escort of the Blue Knights, a police motorcycle club. I’m a member of the Texas VII and we were honored to be asked. In addition to us there was an escort of the Patriot’s Guard Riders.
A peace officer officer’s funeral is similar to a military funeral with the flag draped coffin, honor guards and escort. The fire department is also there and they put an American flag across two ladders. After the Deputy’s casket is loaded into the hearse the radio dispatcher calls his numbers three times and then announces “Liberty County 68, Deputy Sheriff Odell McDuffie, Off Duty.”
We then proceeded to ride down US 59 to the cemetery where the final services were held. The procession must have been over two miles long down the Southwest Freeway.
One thing I’ve noticed about people in the more rural areas is they on their own show respect to a funeral procession. As we were heading down the freeway people going north bound pulled over and waited for the procession to pass. People stood on the side of the road and looked on solemnly. For whatever reason this doesn’t really happen in urban areas.
Small world. I was showing the service flyer to someone at my station and he said “I remember him…he worked at the HEB off Old Spanish Trail…” On the bottom on the second page was “Deputy McDuffie will be missed by the HEB from OST…”
I never knew Deputy McDuffie and I only have a snapshot of his life but I think it can he said he lived well…if too short. I pray for his family and know God will help them through this terrible time.
Rest In Peace friend….
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