Officer escorting funeral procession is hit and killed by vehicle, Texas cops say

A police officer died after he was hit by a vehicle while escorting a funeral procession, Texas officials say.

Sgt. J.D. White, a 19-year veteran with the Angleton Police Department, was critically injured in the crash on Sunday, June 1, and was flown from the scene by helicopter but died from his injuries, the department said.

“Sgt. White was widely respected for his leadership, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to community service,” police said.

The department shared few details about the collision but said the state Department of Public Safety is helping with the investigation.

“This is a tremendous loss for our department and the Angleton community,” police Chief Lupe Valdez said in a statement. “Sgt. White was a trusted officer and a compassionate leader who brought heart to every aspect of his work. His dedication to the Shop with a Cop program, and his ability to connect with and uplift children in our community, speaks volumes about the kind of person he was. His absence will be deeply felt by us all.”

The mayor of Angleton, John Wright, ordered flags to be flown at half-staff at all city buildings for 14 days in honor of White, according to a news release.

“We encourage all residents, businesses, and institutions to join us in this gesture of respect and solidarity as we honor Sgt. White’s life and legacy,” Wright said.

Angleton is a roughly 45-mile drive south from Houston.

This story was originally published June 3, 2025 at 2:02 PM with the headline "Officer escorting funeral procession is hit and killed by vehicle, Texas cops say."