Fort Worth Police Department
Sgt. Billy Randolph served on the department for almost 30 years.
The Fort Worth Police Department, city leadership, and residents will honor Sgt. Billy Randolph with a candlelight vigil at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the South Patrol Division headquarters.
“That would have been Billy's birthday,” Police Chief Neil Noakes said on Monday afternoon, fighting back emotion. “That is just the first step in how we will honor Sgt. Billy Randolph.”
Sgt. Randolph was the 60th Fort Worth officer killed in the line of duty since 1892.
Suffice to say, this never gets any easier. The sense of loss as his family and friends gathered Monday afternoon was heart-wrenchingly palpable. The city is embracing them as they mourn the sudden death of their husband, father, son, brother, colleague, and friend.
Sgt. Randolph was killed early Monday morning by a suspected drunk driver.
Noakes said that 25-year-old Deaujalae Evans entered Interstate 35 southbound driving the wrong way. She allegedly struck Sgt. Randolph and continued driving. She stopped about a quarter mile down the freeway and tried to flee on foot, Noakes said.
Officers quickly detained her.
She is being held on $750,000 bail on a charge of intoxication manslaughter of a peace officer, Noakes said.
Fort Worth Magazine
Flowers and a Thin Blue Line Flag for mourners to leave condolences were part of a memorial outside the police sector on Monday.
According to Noakes, the department obtained a sample of her blood, and the results are pending.
Fellow officers transported Sgt. Randolph by a police patrol Tahoe to John Peter Smith Hospital. It later was announced at the hospital that Sgt. Randolph did not survive his injuries.
“Ms. Evans made a decision,” Noakes said from the department’s South Patrol Division headquarters, where Sgt. Randolph was based. “Her decision was to get behind the wheel drunk. And because she did that, we lost one of Fort Worth's finest, Sgt. Billy Randolph. We see trauma every day. We often see death and tragedy. But the officers out there today saw one of their own.
“They tried feverishly to get him in the car, patrol Tahoe, and rush him to the hospital, where our friends at JPS did everything they possibly could.”
Noakes was joined at the press conference by Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker and Sgt. Randolph’s family and close friends.
“First of all, to his parents, Mom and Dad,” Noakes said to Sgt. Randolph’s parents, “he was an incredible man. All those who are out here to support you today is a testament to that. They wanted to be [at the press conference] today. They wanted to be here for the update, and they wanted to be here to honor Sgt. Billy Randolph.”
Sgt. Randolph was a 29-year veteran of the department. A family friend said he was planning to retire in a couple of years. He was eligible to retire after 25 years. Sgt. Randolph also served four years in the United States Air Force.
He was working the “midnight” shift, 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., and was among officers who responded about 2:30 a.m. to a crash and fire involving an 18-wheeler on I-35 southbound, near Sycamore School Road.
He was standing outside his vehicle when police allege that Evans drove a 2020 Nissan Versa through the accident scene hours later, about 5:30 a.m., and struck Sgt. Randolph while heading northbound in the southbound lanes.
“He could have retired years ago, but he loved his job. He loved his team,” Noakes said. “He was the kind of leader who would never ask anyone to do anything that he was not willing to do himself. And he didn't just say it, he showed it. He didn't have to be out there in the freeway. There was no way he was going to have them out there working that scene unless he was out there doing a job with them. That's what he did every day.”
The family friend said services were pending.
“Officers don't necessarily face a life-or-death situation every single day,” Noakes said. “But they come to work every single day knowing that might be the day. They keep showing up for work. They keep doing the job. They are true professionals.”
Sgt. Randolph was one of the officers who responded to the crash of an 18-wheeler, which caused a fuel spill and fire on Interstate 35W southbound near Sycamore School Road. Southbound lanes were shut down while cleanup continued for the next few hours. The driver of the truck sustained only minor injuries, according to reports.
“Sgt. Randolph … was a devoted father, husband, brother, son, and friend,” the mayor said in a statement. “We are grateful for our officers’ selflessness, bravery, and unwavering commitment to keeping our community safe. Our first responders are the backbone of our city’s safety. Please join me in praying for Sgt. Randolph’s family, friends, and the entire police department.”
Sgt. Randolph is survived by his wife Lisa and daughter Kayla, as well as his parents Bill and Naomi Randolph, and Robert and Janet Floyd. Sgt. Randolph was preceded in death by his son Garrett. His brothers Jim and Matt were also present for the press conference.
A spokesman for the family thanked friends, and the department for “all the love and support.”
“Today we lost a good man,” said Robert Mitchell, who spoke for the family. “We lost Billy — a faithful husband, father, grandfather, brother, son, and a good friend. Billy dedicated his life to his country and his community. He served almost 30 years with the Fort Worth Police Department. He has been committed to serving his community, and he has done so for over three decades in an honorable manner.”
