Memorial service held for Waller County Deputy Loren Vasquez

WALLER, Texas – Hundreds of police officers from around Texas joined with family members in Hockley to remember Waller County Sheriff's Office Deputy Loren Vasquez, 23.

The funeral service was held at noon Thursday at the Community of Faith at 16124 Becker Road in Hockley where she was remembered as a hero.

“She died on a mission of merciful service to rescue a fellow citizen, giving up her life so another could be rescued,” Deacon John Pelletier told mourners.

Vasquez, 23, was responding to a water rescue call last week when her patrol car rolled into high water near Farm to Market 352 at Hoover Road and she became trapped.

Vasquez, 23, was responding to a water rescue call in bad weather Halloween night when her patrol car hydroplaned near Farm to Market 352 at Hoover Road and and careened into a water-filled ditch.

It was only her third night working solo. She’d been in training since joining the department last May.

Her training officer, Deputy Marcos Zapeda, remembered her as sweet, goodhearted and dedicated.

“We considered her the shift baby sister and we treated her like that,” he said. “This is a sad time in our lives, but we like to remember Loren for all the good times.

“It’s been a hard episode to go through, very difficult,” Waller County Sheriff Glenn Smith said.

Vasquez was born in Reynosa, Mexico, came to the U.S. as a child, became a naturalized citizen and dedicated her life to public service.

She lived in Waller County with her parents and younger brother, whom she helped support, and was a volunteer firefighter with the Brookshire Volunteer Fire Department. Vasquez was engaged to be married. Her cousins fought back tears during the ceremony as they read remembrances from her father and finance.

“You left us behind, but we know in our darkest moments we will always find a star in the sky with your name on it and that star will shine brightest of all,” her cousin, Steve Vasquez, said.

As her casket was carried from the church, rows of police officers offered a final salute for the young woman who wanted to serve and died doing it.

Vasquez was buried at the Methodist Cemetery in Pattison.

 

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Funeral service about to begin for Waller Co Dep Lauren Vaquez.

Posted by KPRC2 Phil Archer on Thursday, November 8, 2018