Local Heroes Honored by Bernardo de Galvez Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution
HEROISM – FELICIA GONZALEZ
On August 22, 2017 at approximately 1830 hrs. Officer Felicia Gonzalez was traveling west bound on Emmett F. Lowry Expressway approaching State Highway 3 in the City of Texas City. While performing routine patrol duties, Officer Gonzalez observed black smoke coming from a wrecked vehicle on the feeder/exit road north of her position. The vehicle was off of the roadway and it appeared to have struck two different fixed objects. As Officer Gonzalez approached the vehicle it was now showing visible flames from under the hood, and under the vehicle. Officer Gonzalez contacted the Texas City Police Department Communications Division via police radio and requested fire and paramedics to respond.
Officer Gonzalez observed a female sitting on the driver’s seat inside of the vehicle with the door closed. The female driver was either unable or unwilling to exit the burning vehicle. Officer Gonzalez rushed to the driver side door while loudly ordering the female to exit the burning vehicle. Due to the driver’s state of intoxication, she was not cooperating with Officer Gonzalez. Officer Gonzalez opened the driver side door as the flames were beginning to consume the entire vehicle. Officer Gonzalez quickly removed the driver’s seat belt and began physically removing the female driver. The female driver was resisting Officer Gonzalez’s attempts to help her out of the burning vehicle. As the fire grew larger and was now burning Officer Gonzales’s left arm she managed to pull the intoxicated female from the car and get her to a safe distance. The fire department arrived on the scene and began battling the fire which had now consumed the entire vehicle. The female driver was transported to the hospital where she was treated for injuries due to the accident. Officer Gonzalez also received treatment for burns she suffered on her left arm. The burning vehicle was a total loss, however the driver who was oblivious to her situation due to the state of her intoxication survived thanks to the heroic actions of Officer Gonzalez.
Officer Felicia Gonzalez began her career with the Texas City Police Department in August of 2016. Officer Gonzalez comes from a law enforcement family, having several of her family members serve on the Houston Police Department. She has always had the desire to be a police officer, but waited until she raised her family first. Over twenty years ago prior to entering into law enforcement she started her own successful company which she still owns today. Officer Felicia Gonzalez has a strong desire to serve the community of Texas City. She, with a group of officers help with Police Department events for the community. Officer Gonzalez is a trained hostage negotiator, and a background investigator for new recruits. New and younger officers frequently seek out her guidance due to her helping personality. Officer Gonzalez’s career goal is to one day earn a position in the Texas City Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Unit as a detective.
FIRE SAFETY COMENDATION MEDAL – JAMES WERNER
In the spring of 2018, the League City Fire Department received a report of a drowning in one of the drainage lakes of the Hidden Lakes neighborhood. The victim was reported to be a teenager that had drowned trying to rescue his younger brother. At once, several firefighters from several fire stations responded to the scene. James Werner responded with one other of the fire department rescue swimmers and, on arrival, went to the area where the young man was last scene. After about five surface dives, James was able to bring the victim to the surface and, with the help of another firefighter, bring him to the shore for possible resuscitation. The estimated time of submersion was 20 minutes.
While the effort was unsuccessful in saving the young man’s life, it was an amazing effort that, on occasion, is successful when dealing with cold waters like are found in the spring months.
LIFE SAVING – MIKE VARELA, JR.
Battalion Chief Mike Varela Jr. He has been with GFD since 2001. His father served GFD for over thirty years and held the position of Fire Chief from 2003-2010.
On January 4, 2017, Mike was the Captain of Engine 1 when they responded to a fire at UTMB. During the fire, Chief Varela and his crew discovered a female UTMB employee trapped in her smoke filled office on the same floor as the fire. Mike knew that she needed to be removed quickly but the smoke conditions were too bad to take her out without breathing air. He removed his own air pack, placed it on the lady and then directed his Firefighters to escort her out of the building and then come back for him. He waited in the smoke filled office while the lady was safely removed and then once his crew returned with his air pack, they returned to work searching the other offices and assisting with the fire.
LAW ENFOREMENT MEDAL – JAMES ROY
James Roy has been with the Galveston Sheriff’s Office since 1997. During Roy’s time with the Sheriff’s Office he has worked in Corrections, Patrol, Task Force Officer with the Drug Enforcement Administration, Special Crimes Unit, Galveston County Auto Task Force, and as a Major Crimes Detective. In September 2018, Roy was promoted to rank of Lieutenant/ Assistant Commander of the Criminal Investigation Division. With Roy’s promotion, he is responsible for supervising eight (8) Major Crimes Detectives and seven (7) Reserve Detectives. Roy assigns, oversees, and coordinates investigative activities and field operations to complete the criminal investigations.
Lt. Roy hold a master peace officer license with TCOLE. In 2010, Roy received the DEA Administrator’s Award for Exceptional Service. In 2017, Roy successfully completed the Leadership Trilogy through FBI LEEDA.
In May of 2018, James Roy was assigned as the “Lead Investigator” with the responsibilities of coordinating and investigating the Santa Fe ISD School Shooting Incident. Even after being promoted, Roy has accepted the investigative responsibility and has coordinated his investigation with Galveston County District Attorney’ s Office, Texas DPS and the FBI.
EMS – CONSTANCE ROBINSON
Constance Robinson started in EMS in 2003 as a Volunteer EMT Basic with League City EMS at the age of 18. She received her EMT Paramedic in November 2006 and started working for League City ems as a Part time Medic. In Feb 2007 She became a full time Employee.
During her time with League City EMS she has developed into an excellent Paramedic and has aided EMS with new treatments for our Patients. In 2017 She was not only a Team Leader of an ambulance; she began leading her shift in the absence of her supervisor.
Bernardo de Gálvez Chapter #1, Sons of the American Revolution was started to celebrate and remember our patriots and their contributions to the American Revolution. Our patriots lineage can be traced to our membership with pride. We have 70 active members, with several membership applications pending. Of those members, we have 9 officers. Along with the membership, we represent 52 patriots that fought or assisted in the fight to win this great country her independence. This patriot list includes 6 submitted as supplement applications to the SAR. The Bernardo de Gálvez Chapter is also a community contributor, assisting the local community with educational functions, participation in parades and events as representatives of SAR, as well as conducting ceremonies and presentations on current veterans issues and events.
The Chapter also recognizes and reciprocates with The George Washington Chapter, DAR, Galveston, all able to trace lineage as Daughters of the American Revolution. We also embody the goals and purposes of the National SAR organization that we seek to maintain and extend:
- the institutions of American freedom
- an appreciation for true patriotism
- a respect for our national symbols
- the value of American citizenship
- the unifying force of e pluribus unum that has created, from the people of many nations, one nation and one people.
The Bernardo de Galvez Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution meets the third Saturday of every month. Guests are welcome. Please join us. Contact us via email: jloper@opergroup.com for more information.
