(ROCKWALL, TX – Nov. 13, 2014) City officials and community members gathered at the Rockwall County Sheriff’s Office Nov. 7 to dedicate the Rockwall County Sheriff’s Posse Arena to its beloved founder, longtime Rockwall resident Roy Hance, who died on Jan. 4, 2015 at the age of 94.
Special guests in attendance included Rockwall Mayor Jim Pruitt and his wife, District Attorney Kenda Culpepper, Rockwall County Judge David Sweet, Rockwall County Sheriff Harold Eavenson, and members of Roy’s family, including his wife Randa, son Larry and members of Larry’s family.
Larry spoke of his father’s passion for wanting to create a sheriff’s posse for the community he loved so much, and how perfectly he fit the role as the founding member of the organization.
“I think the posse was probably the most important thing to my dad, and it was perfect for him because he was really a cowboy,” Larry said. “He had a city side to him, but he was really a cowboy both in terms of what he did – he had the farm and had horses and all that – but also who he was. Like a John Wayne he was stoic, he was quiet, he was gentle but strong. Everything about him was perfect for the posse.”
Budd Pierce – an original member of the posse – spoke of how the posse first became organized and of the construction of the arena being named after Roy.
The arena, Pierce said, was built out of panels that came from a defunct ostrich farm off of FM 549. According to Pierce, every panel in that arena has Roy’s handprints all over it.
“I think Roy did a good job of putting together an organization that has lasted almost 25 years now, and with the current leadership and membership we have in the posse today, I think it’ll last for many years to come. So Roy, thank you.”
Speaking on behalf of Congressman John Ratcliffe who was unable to attend, Lori Grinnan had a tremendous amount of praise for Roy, his service to the community and his dedication to forming an organization which has been instrumental in providing assistance to the Rockwall County Sheriff’s Office.
“Roy Hance is a true American, an outstanding citizen, a dedicated family man and a man who left a legacy of service to his community which we honor today,” Grinnan said. “I cannot think of a more worthy gentleman to receive the honor of having a facility named after him. Roy was kind and gracious, had a foundation built on faith, and he was just as strong as steel.”
Grinnan said that Congressman Ratcliffe had also requested that a flag be flown over the U.S. Capitol on Roy’s birthday of Nov. 21 in his honor.
Inspired by other mounting units throughout the area, and wanting to find a way to serve his community while also incorporating his love of riding horses, Roy organized the Rockwall County Sheriff’s Posse in 1991 as a volunteer, nonprofit organization dedicated to providing assistance to the Rockwall County Sheriff’s Office and the communities within Rockwall County.
Composed of volunteer citizens who provide their time and financial support to further enhance public safety in Rockwall County, the posse helps out in emergency situations such as natural disasters, weather emergencies, major traffic accidents and the rounding up of livestock which have broken out of pastures. The posse also assists in search and rescue operations in rural settings, crowd control in case of insurrection, general assistance in extended field operations and parking lot surveillance during community events.
Since 1996, Riding Club representatives of the Rockwall County Sheriff’s Posse have placed in the top three 13 times in the Fort Worth Southwestern and Exposition Livestock Show parade, including first place a total of six times.
“This was all made possible because Roy had a dream to have a sheriff’s posse for Rockwall County and made it a reality,” said Rockwall County Sheriff Harold Eavenson. “We are honored to dedicate this arena in the memory of the founder who was proud of the posse, Roy L. Hance.”
Story and photo by Austin Wells, Blue Ribbon News staff writer.
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