Rising up, Ramon Gutierrez would play cops and robbers together with his mates, making them play the unhealthy guys so he may play the nice man, at all times together with his plastic handcuffs in hand.
Alfredo Gutierrez gently smiled as he shared that small element of his father’s life Friday on the funeral for the fallen Harris County Sheriff’s Workplace sergeant.
Gutierrez grew as much as notice his dream, his son mentioned, turning into a sergeant with the company’s vehicular crimes division and serving as a peace officer for practically 20 years earlier than being killed throughout an off-duty motorbike task by a driver suspected to be intoxicated. The sergeant was 45.
The son spoke with a trembling voice, holding again tears on the funeral at Woodlands Church, and mentioned Jan. 24 was the day his household misplaced its chief, and the world misplaced a hero.
“My father was a easy man — he cherished the Dallas Cowboys, he cherished to barbecue, and he actually cherished his beer,” Alfredo Gutierrez mentioned, drawing laughs from among the many 200 in attendance.
However he additionally cherished his job. Alfredo mentioned his sister just lately instructed him she was at all times jealous of her father’s coworkers due to how a lot time they acquired to spend round him. The rationale Gutierrez was at all times working, he mentioned, was to supply for his household, usually working further jobs or time beyond regulation shifts late into the night.
“Due to him, my mother was in a position to put in 100% of her effort into us and collectively they made the right household,” he mentioned. “We’re all the things a household must be and that was due to my wonderful father and my mother.”
The sergeant’s colleagues additionally acknowledged his work ethic and his zest for all times, whether or not by serving to clear up crimes or grilling avenue tacos for an workplace retirement occasion
“He was a really thorough investigator,” mentioned Lt. Simon Cheng, who labored with Gutierrez within the vehicular crimes division and had identified him for a few decade. The 2 had been promoted to their ranks the identical day, June 5, 2020. “Many instances, I’d be on night time shift, and I’d see him working time beyond regulation on night time shift to arrest drunk drivers. He was very devoted to preserving secure the residents of Harris County.”
Sgt. Dashanna Cheek mentioned he helped in any capability he may, whether or not appearing as a translator or serving to map against the law scene.
“No matter capability he was wanted in, regardless of how small or how giant, he was at all times prepared to do it and gave 100% in all the things,” Cheek mentioned.
Gutierrez started his regulation enforcement profession as a guard on the Harris County jail. He earned the nickname “Guts” within the coaching academy for his grit and dedication, Sheriff Ed Gonzalez mentioned.
“He didn’t care concerning the stripes on his sleeves, he at all times led from the entrance,” Gonzalez mentioned. “He remained humble and approachable. He would lead troops like a father determine.”
However Gutierrez was additionally a household man, Gonzalez mentioned, who married his highschool sweetheart, Lupita Gutierrez, and had three kids, Alfredo, Nomar and Natalia Gutierrez.
Maj. Susan Carter famous the sergeant’s dependability in addition to his fast wit and humor. And just like the sergeant’s son, his ardour for the Cowboys.
On the workplace, Gutierrez earned the nickname “Romo” as a result of his love for the Dallas Cowboys.
“We simply all knew to get him house by midday Sunday to look at the Cowboys,” Carter mentioned. “He was at all times Romo to me.”
Alfredo Gutierrez mentioned what he would miss essentially the most was spending Sundays watching soccer together with his father
“That’s when my dad was actually in his aspect—surrounded by household, cooking barbecue, with a beer in his hand and watching the Cowboys disappoint us once more,” he mentioned.
paul.wedding ceremony@chron.com
