Logo Explained.... non profit organization
“Nemo Oblitus” is our motto. Loosely translated, it is Latin for No One is
Forgotten or No One Forgot, It is meant to remind the fallen officer, or
rather his or her family and friends, that we are doing our best to make
sure that no one forgets their service.
Blue denotes truth, Heaven, and the Holy Spirit.
Our Unsolved Cases
Wilburn Junior Agy
Age Progression Composite of suspect in agy homicide
Composite sketch of suspect in Agy homicide
Deputy Agy was slain at an extra at an extra job in a mall near Fondren in Houston Texas on April 5, 1995. If you have any information, please contact law enforcement.
Composite sketch of suspect in Agy homicide
Age Progression Composite of suspect in agy homicide
Composite sketch of suspect in Agy homicide
Suspect 1 is a 20-25 year old Black Male, 5'5" to 5'6". The other suspect is a Black Male, 5'10" to 5'``11". The store where the murder occurred was at 11092 Fondren, at the time a video store.The two gunmen fled on foot, last seen running northbound on Fondren. Someone out there knows this person.
Age Progression Composite of suspect in agy homicide
Age Progression Composite of suspect in agy homicide
Age Progression Composite of suspect in agy homicide
This is an age progression composite of the same suspect from the previous panel. Likely in his mid-50's. If you know this person, contact Crime Stoppers (Houston) or HPD Homicide.
Edd Williams
Johnny Raymond "Bill" Garsee
Age Progression Composite of suspect in agy homicide
Deputy Sheriff Edd Williams was shot and killed during a robbery at an apartment complex on January 12, 1974.
Deputy Williams, who was not in uniform, was in the manager's office when two men entered and produced weapons. They forced the manager and Deputy Williams into an adjoining room and began searching the two men. Deputy Williams l
Deputy Sheriff Edd Williams was shot and killed during a robbery at an apartment complex on January 12, 1974.
Deputy Williams, who was not in uniform, was in the manager's office when two men entered and produced weapons. They forced the manager and Deputy Williams into an adjoining room and began searching the two men. Deputy Williams lunged at the suspect when the man discovered his badge.
The subject stepped back and shot Deputy Williams in the chin.
Johnny Raymond "Bill" Garsee
Johnny Raymond "Bill" Garsee
The first case to be featured under the Fallen Hero Reward - Texas Remembers program is the 1974 murder of Harris County Deputy Edd Williams. On January 12, 1974, Harris County Deputy Edd Williams was murdered during the course of a robbery at the Victoria Manor Apartments (located at 830 Victoria Drive in Houston, in the vicinity of Tid
The first case to be featured under the Fallen Hero Reward - Texas Remembers program is the 1974 murder of Harris County Deputy Edd Williams. On January 12, 1974, Harris County Deputy Edd Williams was murdered during the course of a robbery at the Victoria Manor Apartments (located at 830 Victoria Drive in Houston, in the vicinity of Tidwell and North Freeway). The suspects in the case at the time were two black males in their early 20s - who would be in their early to mid-60s today. At the time, Deputy Williams was survived by his wife - now deceased - and his then six-year-old son.
To be eligible for the cash rewards, anyone with information on the attack of Deputy Constable Clopton can provide anonymous tips in two different ways:
- Call the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-252-TIPS (8477).
- Submit a tip online
- DPStexas.gov
On January 12, 1974, Harris County Deputy Edward "Edd" Williams was murdered during the course of a robbery at the Victoria Manor Apartments (located at 830 Victoria Drive in Houston, in the vicinity of Tidwell and North Freeway). The suspects in the case at the time were two black males, in their early 20s – who would be in their early to mid – 60s today. At the time, Deputy Williams was survived by his wife – now deceased – and his then six-year-old son. The reward in this particular case was enhanced to $20,000.00 through the Fallen Hero Reward – Texas Remembers Program.
Johnny Raymond "Bill" Garsee
Johnny Raymond "Bill" Garsee
Johnny Raymond "Bill" Garsee
Constable Garsee was in a political campaign for Polk County Constable Pct 3, trying to win his 3rd term. He was running against former Corrigan Police Chief Joel R. Lambright. On April 7, 1984, the 62 year old Constable Garsee was by his barn at his residence just outside Moscow, Texas, feeding his horses. An unknown subject pulled up
Constable Garsee was in a political campaign for Polk County Constable Pct 3, trying to win his 3rd term. He was running against former Corrigan Police Chief Joel R. Lambright. On April 7, 1984, the 62 year old Constable Garsee was by his barn at his residence just outside Moscow, Texas, feeding his horses. An unknown subject pulled up in a pickup truck and shot Garsee 3 times in the chest from a half car length. Local law enforcement and the Texas Rangers were unable to solve the case. The fact that the killer was able to get so close suggests Garsee knew his killer. The case has never been solved.
Garsee is buried in Pine Grove Cemetery in Barnum, Texas.
Progress in Locating and memorializing our fallen
How far have we gotten in locating and personally honoring our fallen?
As of October 15, 2022, these are the numbers:
Beginning Count About 2216
Visited 891
Burial Location Unknown 270
Cremations 71
Total Addressed 1232
So that puts us at about 986 left to go at this time. Unfortunately, that number is always rising.
Cemetery and Grave Care
Headstones Provided by operation blue remembrance
One of our services is to provide headstones for officers who do not have one. To date, we have provided 7 stones and 1 memorial plaque. There are others on our list, but we have not yet been able to address those due largely to lack of funds.
Other stones we have supplied are as follows:
Sheriff Abner Leonard Board
Det. Phillip Cottle
Officer Lemuel "Lemmie" Cain (Plaque)
Officer Cullen O. "Mutt" Davis
Constable Abrum Kerl
Officer Fred L. Miller
Deputy Edd Williams (Grave Restoration)
Grave care
Edd Williams was the first full time black deputy for Polk County Sheriff Office. He was murdered in 1974. In 2020, we visited his grave and noticed the cameo was defaced and the gravesite was overgrown. Thanks to Sgt Rob Thomas (Polk County S.O. Ret), a new cameo has been ordered. Not only that, the grave was cleaned.
After
This is what Williams' grave looked like after the area was cleaned. We try to maintain officers' graves if they need attention. If you know of an officer's grave that is in need, please let us know. Again, thanks to Sgt Thomas for his thoroughness. This is not the end of the story. Sgt. Thomas is continuing to repair the gravesite as well as making needed change. You can see what all has been done by looking at the section entitled HCSO Deputy Edd Williams Grave Restoration above.
Cemetery Care
We try to assist in cleaning the cemetery where an officer is resting. Our Director of Operations, Dale Angerstein, talks with a member of the Abrum Kerl family prior to the ceremony honoring this fallen brother. Dale went to the cemetery twice before the ceremony to clean the area. Thanks to Dale for his attention to detail.
projects underway
William Griffith
Deputy William Griffith was a deputy with Marion County Sheriff Office. Records indicate he was buried in Oakwood Cemetery in Jefferson, Texas, in Section L. Records also suggest he does not have a headstone. Dale Angerstein and I will be traveling to Jefferson, hopefully next week, to meet with City and County officials to attempt to locate his exact grave and then arrange for them to order and set a headstone. More to follow.
Board of Directors
Board of Directors
Board of Directors
Herbert F. “Bert” Sims is the Founder and Board President.
He is a retired police officer and has served at Baytown (Tx) Police Department, Polk County (Tx) Sheriff Office, and Corrigan (Tx) Police Department. He is also a veteran of the United States Army.
Don E. Armstrong is a Founder and Vice President. He has served with Pearland
Herbert F. “Bert” Sims is the Founder and Board President.
He is a retired police officer and has served at Baytown (Tx) Police Department, Polk County (Tx) Sheriff Office, and Corrigan (Tx) Police Department. He is also a veteran of the United States Army.
Don E. Armstrong is a Founder and Vice President. He has served with Pearland (Tx) Police Department, Baytown Police Department, and several other Federal Agencies. He is also a veteran of the United States Army.
Candy McGowan is the Director of Information Technology and a strong asset to the organization. She has served as Crime Analyst for the City of Baytown, Texas as well as other duties and brings a definite spark to the organization.
Dale Angerstein is the Director of Operations and brings knowledge of business as well as a “hands on” approach to resolving problems.
Ted Sims is an Advisor and helps keep us focused, reminding us of the job at hand and preventing us from getting off track. He also is our “devil’s advocate,” reminding us to look at the whole picture and not to reinvent the wheel.
Morgan Ortiz is our 1st Administrative Assistant and performs certain tasks that we ask her to. She always offers advise and keeps us focused on the job at hand.
Lon Craft is the Director of Research. He is a retired police officer who has exceptional skills in research and legal affairs
Our History
Board of Directors
Board of Directors
Operation Blue Remembrance began as an idea for a reunion for Baytown, Texas Police Department retirees in 2018. It became apparent during the first two reunions that many past officers got lost in the shuffle so to speak. So it became a quest to locate all living officers to inform them of the reunion. It also became apparent that man
Operation Blue Remembrance began as an idea for a reunion for Baytown, Texas Police Department retirees in 2018. It became apparent during the first two reunions that many past officers got lost in the shuffle so to speak. So it became a quest to locate all living officers to inform them of the reunion. It also became apparent that many officers were just unknown. Who were these people? And it was sad that these men and women who, for a time, served as that thin blue line were no longer remembered for their sacrifice. Operation Blue Remembrance was born with the intent of making sure these heroes were never forgotten. It was expanded to include all Texas officers, not just Baytown P.D. And the search will be going on until all officers are located. In June, 2020, we received 501 (c) 3 approval by IRS as well as Texas recognition for our organization. Today, we have furnished (or caused to be furnished) 9 headstones for officers who did not have one or whose family could not afford one. And the search continues as long as the Good Lord sees fit to keep us in good health. Thank you for your support.
EIN 85-0878985
Operation blue remembrance at work
S. Belton Cemetery in Belton, Texas
S. Belton Cemetery in Belton, Texas
S. Belton Cemetery in Belton, Texas
Dale Angerstein, our Director of Operations, at S. Belton Cemetery in Belton, Texas.
Different Views
S. Belton Cemetery in Belton, Texas
S. Belton Cemetery in Belton, Texas
Now sometimes, on occasion, odd things show up along the way. This "facility" I believe was at the Lilac Cemetery in Sharp, Texas. Yes, fully functional, and yes, cafe doors...
Taylor city cemetery
S. Belton Cemetery in Belton, Texas
Sheriff Abner L. Board
Taylor City Cemetery in Taylor, Texas has about 14,000 graves. This photo is just a small sliver of the overall picture we faced upon our arrival. We were looking for 3 graves (we found them). Sometimes, the job can be daunting, but we are finding most of them. Many occasions, we were lucky in that the cemetery has an office on site. But in cases like City ownership, more often than not, there are no such offices on site.
Sheriff Abner L. Board
Coy Carter Vandiver Sr. Headstone
Sheriff Abner L. Board
Former Sheriff A. L. Board was assassinated in 1913 by the brother of a man the sheriff and a deputy killed during a lawful arrest in 1901.
"On August 18th, 1901, Arnold Bruce and another man were camped on Wagner Creek in Throckmorton County just over the county line from Baylor County. Bruce was acting irrational and several people went to Seymour in Baylor County for the sheriff. Sheriff Board and a deputy responded back to the area to investigate. The two men were standing while their horses drank from the creek. The lawmen ordered them to surrender and consider themselves under arrest. Bruce ran to a wagon and reached for a gun. Again, he was commanded to surrender, but ignoring the command, he started to raise his gun when the deputy shot and killed him.
On October 21st, 1913, the man's brother arrived in Seymour on the morning train. The man went to the second floor of the First National Bank, where former Sheriff A. L. Board worked selling real estate, and shot him six times, killing him instantly. The man ran down the steps and opened fire on Baylor County Sheriff W. L. Ellis. In the ensuing shootout, the subject was shot two times and killed and the sheriff was seriously wounded. Bruce had a letter on his body addressed to his wife and children to have the people of Seymour ship his body back to Ranger. Although the sheriff survived this shooting incident, on August 6th, 1916, he was shot and killed in the line of duty by a prisoner.
Sheriff Board was survived by his wife and three children. He was buried in the Seymour Masonic Cemetery in an unmarked grave. He had served as sheriff from 1884 through 1888 and again from 1900 through 1902."
During the past 110 years, Sheriff Board has been resting without a headstone. Mrs. Vonda Archer of Archer Funeral Home in Seymore has been just amazing in helping to get this project done. More kudos to Texas Gravestone Care of Porter, Texas. Mrs. Alice Miranda has been just super and is providing the stone at a great price. More to follow.
Coy Carter Vandiver Sr. Headstone
Coy Carter Vandiver Sr. Headstone
Coy Carter Vandiver Sr. Headstone
During our research, we found that Officer Vandiver had been resting since 1922 with no headstone. This was unacceptable. We partnered with Texas Gravestone Care of Porter, Texas, with whom we had previously partnered with on the stone for Sheriff Abner Board, and provided a headstone. The design is one that our Facebook Group voted on and selected to be our "signature" design for all future stones that we provide. It has our seal at the top that can be shifted to allow room for another symbol, along with the biographical information and agency. It was laid by Mr. A.J. Brinkley on Thursday, April 13, 2023
Abner Leonard Board Headstone
Coy Carter Vandiver Sr. Headstone
Coy Carter Vandiver Sr. Headstone
We found that Sheriff Abner Board, of Baylor County, Texas had been resting for about 110 years without a headstone. We partnered with Texas Gravestone Care of Porter and provided him one. They are a great group of people. I would highly recommend them for any of your monument needs. I would contact Irving Miranda or use the link to the left for contact.
Confusing signs
Headstones in Disrepair
Headstones in Disrepair
I am not sure I understand what happens if someone doesn't report a burial.
Headstones in Disrepair
Headstones in Disrepair
Headstones in Disrepair
This is a typical cemetery entrance I encountered during our July 2nd, 2022 Memorial Trip. All 5 cemeteries on this trip had similar signs and sizes. This one is from Antioch Cemetery in Fairfield.
