March 2024. Blues Vol 40 No. 3

AROUND THE COUNTRY
HOUSTON, TX.
Thirty-year veteran Deputy Ronald Bates was killed when he lost control of
his vehicle and struck a tree just south of downtown Houston.
Harris County Sheriff’s Deputy
Ronald Bates was traveling
southwest of Houston’s downtown
at around 9:45 p.m. on Saturday
when the crash happened,
KTRK-TV reports. Bates had just
finished an overtime assignment
and was headed to the Harris
County Jail, according to the Officer
Down Memorial Page.
Bates was traveling along Travis
Street when a bystander said
the deputy lost control of his
vehicle and struck a tree. Bates
was taken to the hospital, where
he was pronounced dead.
“Bates was a man that was
very much loved and respected
by all,” said Sheriff Ed Gonzalez.
“Just everybody was reminiscing
about different conversations.
They say he was a great father,
a great husband, a great mentor,
and a great friend. We’re united
as a family to try to surround his
immediate family with a lot of
love and support as best we can
- as we grieve also.”
Bates had been with the sheriff’s
office for 31 years. He is
survived by his wife and two
children.
DEPUTY RONALD BATES
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38 The Blues - March ‘24 The Blues - March ‘24 39