On June 27, 1990, Houston Police Officer James Irby was murdered in the line of duty. His murderer’s (I will not dignify him by mentioning his name, he will only be referred to as the murdered, or POS) debt to the Irby family will never be repaid. Two weeks ago Officer Irby’s daughter posted a touching tribute to her father on The Officer Down Memorial Page:
Hey Dad ,
Well it’s finally here the “man” and I use that term loosely who took you from us is finally going to be put to death on the 21st of this month , almost 32 years later … justice … if you can call it that, I would have much rather have had you these last 32 years but I am glad it’s going to finally be over. I am not angry anymore and I am choosing not to be sad. After the 21st I am going to close the chapter on all this hurt and loss and just finally just let go. I will never let your memory die your grandson’s carry on your name and my son will grow up knowing his grandfather was a hero. I wish you were here. I wish that you could meet the man that I am hopefully soon going to marry , he is amazing and has taught me so much. No one will ever replace you no one ever could. I hope you know how very important you have been to me in my life even though I never got to know you. I have tried to live my life to honor you and honor our family. There are so many families just like ours who have lost fathers , sons , and husbands in the line of duty and I hope and pray they know that they are not alone because you are watching over them just like you watch over me. Thank you for being my guiding light and the angel on my shoulder.
I love you
Cally Irby
Daughter
April 9, 2022
While his debt to his family will never be settled, the State of Texas settled their debt with this POS on the evening of April 21, 2022. With the assistance of over one hundred of his fellow cops.
The Thin Blue Line Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club (LEMC) fielded over one-hundred members on a Cop Killer Ride to the execution. Every time a cop killer is scheduled to for execution, they organize their members to ride up and support the family members. As the murderer is put to death, all the motorcyclists rev their engines, with a reverberation that can be heard in the execution chamber. The last sound they hear on this earth is coming from police a few yards away.
On the early evening April 21, 2022, these riders, backed up by dozens of members of The Blue Knights LEMC, The Reguladores LEMC, The La Familia LEMC, The Expendables LEMC, and The Protector LEMC, ride up to Huntsville TX. After a stop at a local restaurant for an early dinner, they ride to the Walls Unit of the Texas Penal System.
Within minutes of arriving at Huntsville, multiple officers from the Houston Police Solo Division (Motorcycle unit) arrive and are placed in front of the prison. Afterwards, the hundreds of riders are met by Ms. Cally Irby, who thanks them for their support of her family. And, as is normal for this event, we wait.
A concern we all share is will this get this delayed, again. Texas executes at 600pm, but we haven’t heard yet. There is the possibility a judge may put another hold on the execution. The POS has been on death row for over 32 years, longer than some of the riders and other cops out on the grounds have been alive. In 2014, we had to wait an additional three hours for Officer Guy Gattis’s murder to be put down.
Thankfully the courts do not delay justice. We didn’t know at the time, but an appeal to the Supreme Court was heard, and declined, less than two hours before the execution. Thank you, Justice Alito. The Irby family has waited long enough.
And the word comes! At 610pm, the ride organizers give the signal, the murderer is being executed. Rev the bikes!
In past executions, we’ve been informed by witnesses that the bikes are heard loudly in the execution chamber. The last thing the POS hears before he meets his final Judge is the sound of our pipes!
The official word comes out, the murderer was pronounced at 639pm. The oldest prisoner on death row has now been put down like the rabid animal he was.
A few minutes, reflection on what we are here for, final words, handshakes, hugs, and a solemn vow between many here. We will be here again. We will honor the fallen and support their families.
I am the police, and I'm here to arrest you. You've broken the law. I did not write the law. I may even disagree with the law but I will enforce it. No matter how you plead, cajole, beg or attempt to stir my sympathies, nothing you do will stop me from placing you in a steel cage with gray bars. If you run away I will chase you. If you fight me I will fight back. If you shoot at me I will shoot back. By law I am unable to walk away. I am a consequence. I am the unpaid bill. I am fate with a badge and a gun...
Brian Taylor: End of Watch introduction.
The bill is settled to the sounds of roaring engines.
Rest In Peace Officer Irby. We Got The Watch.
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