Rockwall Citizen Recognized with Life Saving Award and Medal of Valor

(ROCKWALL, TX — March 28, 2019) During their regular meeting on Tuesday, March 26, the Rockwall County Commissioners Court and Sheriff Harold Eavenson recognized local resident Larry Wade with a Life Saving Award and Sheriff’s Medal of Valor.

In the early morning hours of July 28, 2018, Wade was traveling along State Highway 66 in Fate when he saw a motor vehicle accident. Wade immediately stopped to render aid to the two occupants of the vehicle. He pulled both of them – a woman and her son – from the vehicle and immediately began CPR on the woman. While performing CPR on the woman, the vehicle burst into flames and became completely engulfed. The woman’s son survived, but despite Wade’s valiant efforts, the woman did not.

“I have no doubt that Larry’s selfless act and disregard for his own personal safety saved the life of the boy. I’d like to personally commend him for his heroic actions,” said Eavenson.

In other agenda items, the commissioners discussed progress related to the county jail renovation and expansion project. Public notice was sent out last week for an RFQ (Request for Qualifications) for design build services for the project, with a deadline of April 1 for RFQ submittals. On April 8, the Commissioners Court will have the opportunity to review a final list of all candidates who responded to the RFQ, and determine a shortlist of candidates during its regular meeting on April 9.

“Based on the approved master schedule for the project, we’ve allocated a week – April 30th through May 6th – for the court then after to hear presentations from the shortlisted group of candidates, and discuss who they intend to select,” said Broaddus Vice President Scott Sanders. “Then we’ll have approximately a month from there to follow up with questions and negotiate a contract with the apparent winner at that point in time.”

In other action, the court unanimously approved to loan a roll top antique desk used by the late Congressman Ralph Hall during his service as Rockwall County judge to the Rockwall County Historical Foundation. The desk will be displayed in the Law and Order room of the Bailey House, located next to the RCHF Museum. Also on display in the room is the bed of Judge Archibald Register Hartman – the first county judge to serve in the sandstone courthouse which was razed in 1940 – and some other historic law-and-order-related artifacts, including the brass knuckles worn by Ralph Hall’s grandfather, E. W. Hall, who served as Rockwall County Sheriff from 1920-1935.

Other items unanimously approved by the court:

-a request from the Rockwall High School Orange Wave Band Boosters and Rockwall Ford to use the courthouse parking lot on April 27 from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., for the purpose of hosting their 2019 Ford Drive 4 UR School Fundraiser

-the appointment of Ron Merritt as an agent for the Commissioners Court for certain agreements regarding platting in subdivisions

-out of state travel for Elections Clerk Christy Myers to attend training classes in Auburn, Alabama May 13-18, 2019

-Conduent Government Records Service, Inc. providing additional archival printing services and binding of Commissioners Court minutes volumes 80-86 for the County Clerk’s Office at an estimated cost of $2,013.18

By Austin Wells, Blue Ribbon News.

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