Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest in Peace. I saw your memorial sign and looked you up.

Michael Mullins
Citizen

June 9, 2022

Thank you for your service, Sheriff Dodds and Chief Deputy Jakubek. We honor your sacrifice and say thank you to all the brave men and women who face danger every day to protect and serve us.

Jon & Linda Lanier
Grateful citizens

June 3, 2021

Rest in peace and always know that your service and sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

September 28, 2020

My husband and I are driving on the Ronnie Dodds Memorial Highway this moment and are reflecting on the sacrifice made by Sheriff Ronnie Dodds and Chief Deputy Jakubek and that of their beloved families along with so many other good men and women in uniforms and their loved ones. Thank you for your service and dedication. We shall never forget.

Annegreth Niemann
Concerned citizen

September 10, 2020

Rest In Peace Brother LEO. Thank you Hero and your family for your sacrifice and service to this country. Never forgotten.

Officer Mike Robinson (Ret.)
Upland Police Dept. CA

September 28, 2019

A hero never dies... thank you for your service sir. We'll have the watch now.

Correctional Ofc. Valentin Cavazos #332
Calhoun County Sheriff's Office

October 29, 2017

Victoria Advocate Newspaper
Highway dedicated to slain sheriff
Oct. 27, 2017

HALLETTSVILLE - Two years ago, Robin Branecky presented an idea to her mother for a Christmas gift.

The Flatonia resident was Christmas shopping for her mother, Elissa Rothbauer, when she thought of a gift. As the granddaughter of slain Lavaca County Sheriff Ronnie Dodds, Branecky had heard from her family and the Lavaca County community about Dodds.

"I wanted to give her something that meant a lot," Branecky, 38, said. "I saw a highway memorial sign in San Marcos, and I thought, 'That's what I should do.'"

Rothbauer opened her Christmas gift to share with Lavaca County on Friday morning as the sign dedicating U.S. 90 Alternate to Dodds was unveiled on the outskirts of Hallettsville. About 50 people attended the sign unveiling and dedication ceremony on the right side of U.S. 90 Alternate as a cool front blew in for the weekend.

Dodds was elected sheriff of Lavaca County in 1964 - a dream come true for him, said Elissa Rothbauer, Dodds' youngest daughter. Dodds was also a World War II veteran and served in the Navy in the Philippines. He enjoyed a cold, Lone Star beer at the end of the workday and would always have a pack of Salem cigarettes in his pocket, Rothbauer said. Dodds also loved hunting, fishing and watching football.

"His dream was always to be in law enforcement. He won the election by two votes," Rothbauer, 60, said. "He was a salt-of-the-earth kind of man."

Dodds loved his job, Rothbauer said, and would work from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and be on call every night.

Dodds responded to a call in the early morning hours of Sept. 28, 1969, and told Rothbauer's mother, "Don't worry about me - I can take care of myself."

Dodds, along with Chief Deputy Sheriff Albert Jakubek, were transporting two teenage prisoners from Shiner to Hallettsville when one of the teenagers reached into Dodds' holster and shot both officers.

Dodds died at the scene, according to Victoria Advocate archives. He was 49 years old.

Branecky said she worked with state Sen. Lois Kolkhorst's office to have a portion of U.S. 90 Alternate dedicated to Dodds. Both the state senate and house committees passed a bill in March to dedicate the portion of the highway as "Sheriff Ronnie Dodds Memorial Highway."

Lavaca County Sheriff Micah Harmon spoke during the ceremony. Though Harmon did not know Dodds, Harmon said he quickly learned about Dodds when he started working for Lavaca County in 1989.

"I learned about Sheriff Dodds - how friendly he was, that he was a caring family man and a great friend who would go above and beyond to help," Harmon said.

Staffers from both Kolkhorst's office and state Rep. Leighton Schubert's office spoke briefly during the ceremony as well. Branecky said she is grateful for all the help she received to make the highway dedication a reality.

"I feel so proud to finally see it," Branecky said. "Just to have my grandfather's name a part of history is just remarkable."

Police Officer-retired
NYPD

October 28, 2017

Your day is coming where people will always remember you. You are loved beyond measure and strongly missed!

Tracy Quigley
Granddaughter

February 16, 2017

Heroes live forever, Sheriff Dodds, and we will never forget. Thank you for the sacrifice you made for the citizens of Lavaca County and the great State of Texas.

Greater Houston C.O.P.S.

September 28, 2013

To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. Your heroism and service is honored today, the 44th anniversary year 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.

Phyllis Lasater Loya
mom of fallen Pittsburg (CA) officer Larry Lasater

August 9, 2013

To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. Your heroism and service is honored today, the 44th anniversary year 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.

Phyllis Lasater Loya
mom of fallen Pittsburg (CA) officer Larry Lasater

August 9, 2013

I was young when Sheriff Dodds and Chief Jakubek were lost in the line of duty. I knew both well as my Dad would see them and talk to them in town. They were good people. My brother went to school with the Sheriff"s son Ronnie dodds and I went to school with his daughter. What a loss to our community. I was inspired by the sheriff to get into Law Enforcement and made it my career.

Chief Marshal/ Retired
Freeport Marshals Office

May 19, 2013

I was 8 years old when you died. I still remember. After being in law enforcement now for over 30 years, I can appreciate the sacrifice you made. Thank you and God bless you!

Officer Steve Appelt #1058
San Antonio PD

April 30, 2013

Rest in peace, Sheriff Dodds, Your service and sacrifice to the citizens of Lavaca County and the great State of Texas are not forgotten.

Greater Houston C.O.P.S.

September 28, 2012

Rest in peace, Sheriff Dodds. You're not forgotten.

Greater Houston C.O.P.S.

September 28, 2011

Daddy, I think about you everyday. I think you would be proud of your two grandchildren who never met you, but have inherited your easy charm and charisma. After 38 years I still miss you and I'm still proud of the sacrifice you made for the people of Lavaca County.I love you Daddy!

Elissa Rothbauer
daughter

April 11, 2007

You were taken before I had a chance to know you Popo, but your legacy lives on through me. I am following in your foot steps as making law enforcement my career. You are still apart of our lives in everything thing that we do. I named my son Connor Ray in you honor. I love you and thank you for always being there..

Heather Mulryan
Granddaughter

April 13, 2006

Thank you for the short time that we had and I hope that the price you paid will always be an encouragement to other peace officers everywhere. I will always love you!

Tracy Lindsey
Granddaughter

November 7, 2005

On the anniversary of your death, I salute you for your service and honor you for your sacrifice.

A hero never dies.....

Rest in peace, hero.

September 28, 2004

06/14/04

Each day I try to read the ODMP. Today I read your story. Any officer who dies in the line of duty will always be remembered for his sacrifice. You died a hero. Rest in peace Sheriff Dodds.

Captain Robert W Cannon, Ret.
Vermilion Co, Il. Sheriff's Dept.

June 14, 2004