First responders from across Ector County gathered Thursday for a fundraiser for Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Kevin Ramirez Vasquez.
The Professional Police Officers Association organized the event in Barn A of the Ector County Coliseum. Burgers, soft drinks, water and cookies were available.
All proceeds go to the trooper’s family.
Bailey Thurman, an Odessa Police Department patrolman and vice president of the PPOA, headed up the fundraising efforts.
Thurman said about 900 people were expected and there were 30 to 40 volunteers on hand from the OPD, Odessa Fire and Rescue, Ector County ISD police and others.
It was also attended by DPS troopers, Ector County Sheriff’s deputies, county officials, City of Odessa, members of the public and more.
Ramirez Vasquez, 25, was investigating a traffic crash in Ector County on Sept. 17, when he was struck by a vehicle and severely injured. He was transported to Medical Center Hospital in Odessa and then airlifted to a Lubbock-area hospital where he succumbed to his injuries on Sept. 28.
Thurman said they wanted to help out the family of the fallen officer. All proceeds will go to them and the PPOA will hand it to the family directly.
He added that Thursday’s turnout was “amazing.”
“We originally bought 500 burgers and we’ve almost doubled it now so that’s a great, great thing,” Thurman said.
He added that it made him feel grateful to be able to do this for the family.
“We’re just really happy to do it because obviously he did pay the ultimate sacrifice at the end of the day if that’s how we can help out, then that’s what we’ve got to do,” Thurman said.
This was a joint effort of different first responder agencies.
“It’s always great to see all the agencies come together, especially even the ones that don’t work with each other all the time. … We work together, but it’s good to see that we all come together,” Thurman said.
Josh and Brandi Sadberry found out about the fundraiser from Facebook.
“I think it feels pretty awesome,” to be able to help the trooper’s family, Josh Sadberry said.
Ector County Sheriff Mike Griffis said when a law enforcement officer is lost, they stand together as a family.
“We come out to support each other and the families of those individuals who have lost their loved one,” Griffis said.
Ramirez Vasquez began his law enforcement career when he joined DPS in 2023. He was stationed in Odessa. The DPS website said Ramirez Vasquez lived a life of service, serving in the United States Army prior to joining the department, and he was currently serving in the National Guard. He is the 241st DPS officer to die in the line of duty since 1823.
His funeral, held Oct. 3 in Houston, was attended by the Odessa Police Department Honor Guard.
Ramirez Vasquez is survived by his parents and three siblings, the DPS website stated.
