Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

My only interaction with Bill Davidson was when I was on a ride-a-long with my brother, another Texas highway patrolman stationed in Victoria. I was in college studying Business and never thought about law enforcement as a career.

Bill called for backup. He was following four armed suspects who’d pistol-whipped and robbed a clerk at an Edna convenience store and was now trailing them south on 59 towards Victoria.

We caught up with Bill coming from the opposite direction and lined up to one side of him so that he could initiate a felony car stop. When all four suspects were prone on the highway, Bill handed me his shotgun and asked me to cover down on the suspects while he and my brother secured them.

What I remembered most about Bill was his large stature and friendly personality. I was heartbroken when my brother told me if his death.

RIP Bill. You will never be forgotten.

Special Agent Roland Ballesteros (ret)
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms

June 12, 2022

I remember exactly where I was and what I was doing when I got a call from my Uncle Sid to say my Uncle Bill had been involved in a shooting in the line of duty. I was on my first tour in the US Navy, stationed aboard the USS Dale in Mayport, FL. It was very surreal, as Uncle had always been bigger than life to me, a Texas State Trooper with a career and a great example to strive toward as a young man. I remember his integrity, strength of character, and dedication to his job; and most of all, the coolest Uncle that when the family got together for summer fishing trips, always had the newest, most innovative weapon, and always stressed to us firearm safety, and responsibility even as he was showing off his new acquisition. He was a great man, and I miss him to this day.
R.I.P. Uncle Bill!

Heath Cosper
Nephew

March 23, 2022

Thank you for your service. May God bless your family and friends. Never forgotten.

Sr Deputy Thomas Gray
Travis County Sheriff's Office

January 10, 2021

Be safe out there my brothers and sisters, Happy Holidays

Arson Investigator Claudio J. Ortiz III
Brownsville, TX. Fire Marshal’s Office

November 30, 2019

Rest In Peace Brother Bill.

SA Wayne Wallace
TXDPS, SGT 3A04

April 16, 2018

Uncle Bill we all love you just wanted to tell you that we know you are watching over us and the state troopers. We all know that it is hard on the highways but you are truely missed we thinking of you every day RIP My Uncle Trooper Bill Davidson..........

Michael Foster
Uncle

May 30, 2017

Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

RGV BPA
USBP

April 12, 2016

Rest in Peace Trooper Bill Davidson. Thank You for your Service and Sacrifice protecting the citizens of The Great State of Texas.

I Pray for Peace for your Family, Friends and Co-Workers. I also Pray that the hounds of hell forever gnaw at the flesh and bones of your murderer!

Amen

Senior Special Agent B.L. Sherwood (Ret)
Port Terminal Railroad Police Houston, Texas

April 12, 2016

I was recently promoted to Sergeant with the Houston Police Department at the time of Bill's death. A few other Sergeants that I worked with knew Bill, from training that they did together. I attended the funeral with them. It was not my first funeral of an officer, but it made a huge impact on me. Bill was not only a Trooper, but he was HUGE in the Edna community. He was a Trooper for our safety, and very involved in many other areas. I remember going to the grave side after the services and watching a fly over of crop dusters to honor him! I still think about him and pray for him often.

I pray that his family and friends have found peace!

David Anderson
Former Sergeant, Houston Police Department

Sergeant
Houston Police Department

September 6, 2015

Bill, all these years have passed but at this time of the year when the blue bonnets are starting to bloom I think of you and the impact you had on my career. You were one of the best and instead of belittling me when I made a mistake, you always made it a teaching moment. To this day I preach to young officers about your fatal encounter when they conduct traffic stops. Sure miss sitting at Pizza Hut getting a glass of iced tea with you when you were "parched." RIP brother, gone but never forgotten.

John Davis ,Lieutenant, Retired
Bee County Sheriff's Office

April 15, 2015

To me he was the definition of great Texas DPS trooper

Bobby Byrne Retired Deputy Sheriff
Worked for Edna Police Department with Trooper Davidson

April 4, 2015

Heroes live forever, Trooper Davidson, and we will never forget. Thank you for the sacrifice you made for the citizens of the great State of Texas.

Greater Houston C.O.P.S.

April 12, 2013

Rest in peace, Trooper Davidson. Your service and sacrifice to the citizens of the great State of Texas will never be forgotten.

Greater Houston C.O.P.S.

April 12, 2012

Uncle Bill,
I can't believe it's been so long. Daddy, Sid, Moose, HC, Neal, Gayle and all your nieces and nephews miss you so. I think of you everyday. I passed a trooper that had pulled over an 18-wheeler today, from behind he had the dark hair, cowboy hat on and looked just like you. I choked. I can see you at the table with the toothpick in your mouth calling Kimberly "little sister". Linda and Kimberly, you are in my heart everyday. If we could only see you one more time. I miss and love you so much.
Angie

Angie Cosper Clinard
Bill's niece

September 22, 2011

Thank you Sir for your service, bravery, dedication to duty and for your sacrifice. You are a true hero.

Sergeant T. Henshaw
Bell Gardens Police Dept., CA

April 28, 2011

Bill, Another of your troopers died yesterday and I was reading the ODMG as I attempt to do several times a week. You left us way to early and I know that after I read all of the comments today that everyone has you in their prayers. Your Wife Linda says she reads these comments often. I want you to know, as I want your wife to know, that all of us in California thank you as a brother for all that you did for your citizens and the Great State of Texas. God Bless you and I don't know if you were ever a United States Marine or not but I want to say "Semper Fi" to a great trooper and a brother in arms...God Bless.

State Traffic Officer Mike Becze #7185
California Highway Patrol

November 16, 2010

Trooper Davidson thank you for your willingness to protect and serve. You will always be remembered and honored for your duty. God Bless you and your family.

ASO L. Falcon #281
Texas A&M University Easterwood Airport Security

April 24, 2010

Another year has passed and you are still admired and respectfully remembered in the hearts and minds of so many. My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones and friends on this anniversary of your EOW. You will never be forgotten.

James Sheppard
Father of Sgt. Jason L. Sheppard EOW 12/7/06

April 12, 2010

Trooper Davidson and I attended the Texas DPS Academy together in 1973. We both became Texas Highway Patrol Troopers and remained good friends.

Bill was a class act while a recruit in the Academy; and remained a top notch trooper in his assigned duty station. He was well known for his kindness and caring attitude. Bill never sought recognition or favor. He was the consumate, "Public Servant", and wore the badge and the Stetson hat of the Texas Highway Patrol with the greatest of pride and integrity.

He remains the only graduate from, "A" School-1973 to have given his life in the line of duty.

Texas lost a great human being and a professional trooper, while heaven gained one of its brightest stars.

God bless his wife and children and give them comfort in knowing that Bill Davidson will always be a man to be patterned after and a trooper to be emulated.

Rodney Neal
Texas Highway Patrol-Retired

July 27, 2009

Your heroism and service is honored today, the seventeenth anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered. Rest In Peace.

I am glad that you and your family as well as your agency received the full measure of justice for your brutal murder. I hold your family in thought and prayer today.

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

April 12, 2009

God Speed, Brother.

P.O.K.Murphy
Union PD, NJ

March 4, 2009

East Texas lost a State Trooper to fatal gunfire this week, and the first thing that came to my mind was Bill Davidson. I still hear stories of how much fun Bill and my father had growing up, and how Bill had the fastest car in Central Texas. I remember our visit to Edna and your family visiting Tyler. His memory is still alive....his name still brings a huge smile to my parents face, and Jill and I will always admire him. We love you Linda!

Rachel Damron
Family Friend

May 1, 2008

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family on this anniversary.

Former N.H. Police Officer
Fauquier County, VA

April 12, 2008

Trooper Davidson,
On today, the 16th anniversary of your murder, I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of the state of Texas. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy. I too remember learning about Trooper Davidson on A&E's American Justice and I'm glad to know that his murderer got the punishment that he deserved.

R.I.P.
A fellow LEO

Anonymous

April 12, 2008

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1993 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

March 3, 2008