By Jamie Nash
Uniforms of every description slowly filled the seats in the Fellowship of The Woodlands Friday morning, along with civilians, to say goodbye to Patton Village Police Sergeant Stacey Baumgartner, who was killed in a crash that occurred during a pursuit last Sunday.
Cleveland ISD Police Chief Rex Evans made opening comments, thanking everyone on behalf of the Baumgartner family, Patton Village Mayor Leah Tarrant, and the Patton Village Police Department.
A moment of silence was observed for Adan Hilario, the 11-year-old boy who was killed in the same crash.
The minister took over, thanking everyone who responded to the crash and those who provided medical care or kept vigil at the hospital.
He said Baumgartner was born August 9, 1976 in Houston, and left behind his wife Donna, his son Brent, and daughter Chloe, as well as his mother, brother, and other family members. The minster described the fallen officer as always having a smile on his face and a spring in his step, as well as being ready with a hug.
“He took his oath to serve seriously,” the minister said.
He called Baumgartner “courageous, compassionate, fearless and fair.”
Patton Village Mayor Leah Tarrant spoke next, saying, “We’re eternally grateful for such a huge show of support.” The city had received many calls, letters, and cards, she said.
Tarrant described her city as very, very small, and close and said the police department “is a very special part” of that city, and that Baumgartner was a very special part of that police department.
He joined PVPD in October 2012 and worked up to patrol sergeant, Tarrant said.
“He loved his career and it was without a doubt his calling,” she said. “He answered that call without fear, with hesitation and without reservation.”
Patton Village Police Chief Darren Verot talked about how people watch police shows on television and think they understand what police do, but they don’t.
The Chief said Baumgartner was always kind and never in a foul mood.
“He would tell you very quickly his priorities – God, Family and job,” Verot said.
He also called the death “a sobering reminder of the sacrifices” made by officers each and every day. He then mentioned the loss to both the sergeant’s family and Adan Hilario’s family.
Verot read scripture, including Matthew 5:9, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
The chief’s voice broke as he concluded his remarks, speaking to Baumgartner, “Your job here is done,” he said. “Soar with the eagles. Spread your wings and fly away.”
The next speaker was Dwayne Bryant, Baumgartner’s older brother, who said if he could describe Baumgartner in one word, it would be “faithful,” and that his younger brother was “born for a life of serving others, serving a purpose greater than himself.”
Bryant said Baumgartner “faced hardships and challenges growing up, and didn’t have an easy life, but he persevered.” One Bryant’s proudest moments, he said, was watching his brother graduate from the police academy.
Bryant said he had never truly known heartache until now, and had “never fully understood the magnitude of the brotherhood that exists within the law enforcement community until this week,” adding that the family was humbled by the outpouring of support.
He asked for prayer for his family, the Hilario family and the suspect’s family.
Bryant finished by saying to his brother that he loved him and was inspired by him.
The minister read from the book of Ecclesiastes,
“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.”
The lesson, he said, was “life happens” to the good and the bad, the just and the unjust.
The minister said he guaranteed when Stacey woke up on Father’s Day, he never imagined it would be his last, and still had hopes and dreams and goals.
“We need to look at the lesson of death,” he said.
The casket with the Texas flag draped over it was carried past hundreds of uniformed officers, many of them from the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office where Baumgartner began his career in 2005.
A “last call” was dispatched for Baumgartner’s unit number, 3804. A bugler then played the traditional Taps.
A lengthy procession wound its way from The Woodlands to East Montgomery County, the area Baumgartner served, for the graveside portion of the service. The Montgomery County Honor Guard ceremoniously folded the Texas flag and handed it to Chief Verot, who knelt and presented the flag to the widow, Donna Baumgartner as she sat holding their 4-year-old daughter Chloe and surrounded by hundreds of people of people who would give anything if they could change that one moment last Sunday when three families were forever changed.
