Fort Worth police honored the family of the fallen officer with a portrait unveiling ceremony

The Fort Worth Police Department unveiled a portrait in honor the fallen officer was Sergeant Billy Randolph in a ceremony in the Bob Bohlen Public Safety Complex Auditorium on Monday, November 4.

Randolph lost his life after being allegedly hit by a drunk driver while working the scene of a crash on Interstate 35W on Aug. 12.

The mayor, police department officials, elected officials and family members gathered together for Randolph’s recognition ceremony 29 years of dedicated service department and its lasting impact on the community.

Randolph, also a US Air Force veteran, was recognized for his outstanding contributions during the event.

Mayor Mattie Parker said Randolph was truly one of the most dedicated police officers in the city of Fort Worth until the day he died.

Parker said she has been fortunate to get to know the Randolph family better over the past few weeks and recognize them and their sacrifices for the community.

“We all have to live a little more like Billy and recognize that there is a really heavy burden on the men and women who wear the badge in Fort Worth, especially when they lose someone they loved and respected and was a mentor to so many people, Parker said.

The City of Fort Worth recognizes employees by presenting them with pins to mark the decades of service they provide. During the event, Police Chief Neil Noakes presented a 30-year service badge to Randolph’s wife Lisa.

“We didn’t lose Billy that day. It was taken from us by someone who decided to get behind the wheel drunk.” Noakes said. “And because Billy chose to be out there on that freeway with his team, leading by example.”

Noakes said Randolph was always about the people he loved, so instead of focusing on the moment that took him away, they’re focusing on the life he lived and all those other years of service in the military, for the city and his family and friends.

“He wasn’t a hero because of how he died that day — he’s a hero because of how he lived every day,” Noakes said.

Billy’s brother, Jamie Randolph, his voice breaking with emotion, talked about the little things the family did to remember Billy.

They created a bracelet that says, ‘Be like Billy,’ and throughout the day he tries to do the little things that Billy would do, like understanding people, being patient and listening to people’s problems and being able to try to find solutions, Jamie said.

“That’s what Billy did every day, never asking for praise, just being who he is,” he said.

The police department has been gracious in helping the family over the past two and a half months, and Jamie wanted to thank them for everything, he said.

The portrait was installed in the corridors in a private ceremony after the opening. It was a way for the department to remember Randolph and remember how he lived.