The wail of bagpipes and beating of drums signaled the start of a memorial service for San Antonio’s first law enforcement officer to die as a result of the novel coronavirus.
A somber procession for Bexar County Sheriff’s Deputy Timothy De La Fuente made its way Tuesday morning from Mission Park Funeral Chapels South to Community Bible Church on the North Side for a ceremony with full honors.
When the escort arrived at the church, the San Antonio Police Pipes & Drums and Austin Police Pipe & Drum Corps led the honor walk, which started near a large unfurled American flag secured to the ends of two extended fire truck ladders.
A formation of deputies rendered sharp salutes under cloudy skies as De La Fuente’s family walked behind a horse-drawn carriage with glass sides bearing the deputy’s ashes to the church entrance doors.
More than 100 people gathered inside the sanctuary to celebrate the life of the 27-year veteran who was remembered as a fun-loving, devoted husband and dedicated law enforcement officer. He worked at the Bexar County Jail where the virus swept through the facility in April, infecting several hundred inmates and staff members.
De La Fuente was 53 when he died at home April 30.
On ExpressNews.com: Hundreds test positive for COVID-19 at Bexar County Jail
Family, friends and colleagues, all wearing protective masks, sat in clusters apart from each other for the service.
A black-framed portrait of De La Fuente rested in a rustic, wooden rocking chair placed beside the pulpit where relatives, clergy and Sheriff Javier Salazar offered words of remembrance.
The Rev. Ed Newton, pastor of Community Bible Church, welcomed the assembly and introduced the speakers who each recalled how the deputy made an impact on their lives.
Pastor Kenneth Brown from First Baptist Church in Converse, who also worked at the jail, remembered working with De La Fuente, and how they would have gentle rivalries, comparing their units.
He recalled that De La Fuente and his wife, Pauline, were avid world travelers, making their way to locations such as Dubai, Paris and Rome.
Brown said during a particularly rough challenge in his life, it was De La Fuente who was by his side.
“The one who stood closest to me was not all of my preachers, friends, and pastors I know,” he said, “it happened to be Timothy.”
On ExpressNews.com: De La Fuente loved being a peace officer
De La Fuente’s sister-in-law Gloria Pezina wept as she addressed the crowd, saying family holidays would be empty without him.
One of the deputy’s sisters Melinda De La Fuente spoke about growing up with her middle sister and younger brother in a military family. She said her brother’s career in law enforcement followed in their father’s footsteps. Their dad worked in the Air Force Office of Special Investigations.
“I always had a satisfying feeling knowing he was performing above and beyond what was required,” she said, “willing and able to do his civic duty.”
De La Fuente’s widow, Pauline Pezina De La Fuente, and her daughter, Terry, followed. But the widow was overcome and couldn’t speak, so Terry read for her, a missive entitled, “Love Letter to My Husband.”
The letter recalled jokes that made Pauline laugh, crying together over sad stories and his appreciation of the meals she cooked for their family.
“I am so proud to have spent the last 14 years together,” she wrote, “in good times and sad times and exploring the world together. Where I am, you will always be and I will carry you close to my heart and in my spirit.”
Salazar said De La Fuente’s career was not without obstacles, but he loved his job, where he was well respected.
Three years ago, he was injured when an inmate attacked him with a wooden mop. At the hospital, another deputy told De La Fuente’s wife how two other inmates came to his rescue.
The sheriff said De La Fuente always went out of his way to shake his hand and say good morning, a friendly gesture that cheered him up on difficult days.
He said what turned out to be the deputy’s last words were the morning of the day he died, when he called in sick. He said he had to call his chain of command, let them know he couldn’t come in and gave an ample explanation of the reason.
“He was not a “no call, no show” kind of guy,” Salazar said. “Until the end, Tim fought with a hero’s heart.”
Related: Sheriff’s deputy who died at home had tested positive for the coronavirus
As a photo tribute on two video screens closed the ceremony, officers and family filed outside for the committal service officiated by Sheriff’s Department Chaplain Josue Tapia.
The service observed law enforcement traditions to the end.
A lone deputy led a riderless horse by the reins past ram-rod straight rows of officers standing at attention. A bugler sounded taps before three volleys from seven rifles boomed in the air.
Strains of the hymn “Amazing Grace” echoed from bagpipes, accompanied by the roll of drums. The people in the crowd raised their heads seemingly as one to watch the San Antonio Police Department’s Eagle helicopter soar overhead and disappear beyond the church.
Salazar knelt and presented a folded Texas flag to the widow.
There was a moment of silence followed by a radio dispatcher’s last call for De La Fuente. She called his name once, twice. When no answer came, his badge was retired.
“Your assignment,” the dispatcher’s voice said, “is complete.”
Vincent T. Davis is a reporter in the Greater San Antonio and Bexar County area. To read more from Vincent, become a subscriber. vtdavis@express-news.net | Twitter: @vincentdavis
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July 21, 2020 at 12:00PM
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Fellow officers, family and friends gather to honor fallen deputy De La Fuente in San Antonio - San Antonio Express-News
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