"It is with a heavy heart that Sheriff Kevin W. Windham announces the passing of our deputy, Matthew Pierson, in the fatal accident that occurred this morning," the Shelby County Sheriff s Office reports on Facebook.
Thomas Villarreal, president of the Austin Police Association, blamed the city council for neglecting local law enforcement, telling "Fox & Friends" on Monday that the alleged missteps have concocted a larger problem.
"Low morale, that s a big thing right now. So she s going to have a big task of getting people to want to stay, to feel like they re wanted,” the former officer said.
With Chief Joseph Chacon’s announcement, the city manager has asked current APD Chief of Staff Robin Henderson to step in as Interim Police Chief effective the first week of September until a search for a permanent chief is completed.
Officer Bryan Holley’s former agency, the Angelina County Sheriff’s Department, praised the fallen officer who retired as a lieutenant from the agency.