East Texas Community, Lufkin PD Honor Eric Willmon

'Well done, good and faithful servant...enter into the joy of your Lord."

Officer Eric Willmon of the Lufkin Police Department passed away Tuesday evening, the result of a rare complication from a recent surgery.

There are no words that can take away the pain and grief that Eric's family, friends, fellow officers, and community are experiencing.  But, great pride should be felt by those closest to him because of the outpouring of the words and actions of love and respect for this fine officer. 

The Lufkin Police Department issued the follow statement concerning their great loss:

Lufkin Police Department Officer Eric Willmon died April 17, 2012. Eric served the citizens of Lufkin for more than ten years and his passing leaves an unfillable hole in the lives of his family, his friends, his Department, and his community.

In 2011, Eric was diagnosed with, and later beat, lymphoma. His battle with cancer caused an abnormality in the functioning of his heart and his death was the result of complications from surgery performed to restore normal function.

Assistant Lufkin Police Chief Gerald Williamson remembered Eric as “a model police officer; reliable, dependable, consistent, thorough, and professional.” Chief Williamson said; “he was such a good mix in every way, personally and professionally. He didn’t neglect any duty, no matter how small, and he didn’t take matters further than necessary. He truly served the citizens of Lufkin with distinction.”

Eric followed his father, Don Willmon, into law enforcement. In 1979, Don Willmon died in the line of duty while serving as a reserve peace officer for Angelina County Sheriff’s Office. Eric was much like his father in that both were universally respected by their peers and the communities they served.

Lufkin Police Department lost a beloved member of its family and appreciates the many thoughts, well wishes, and prayers of the public.

 

I hope I'm not being intrusive in using the following picture from Stefani Willmon's Facebook page, but it brought tears to me and made me think of the following quote:

"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." - Emerson