ROUND ROCK — ROUND ROCK, Texas -- Family and friends joined together to say goodbye to Round Rock Police Officer Charles Whites Wednesday morning.
"Today we come to honor a fellow officer, a co-worker, a husband,” said Chaplain Jerry Lyle.
Officer Whites was directing traffic around a crash in February when he was struck by a driver, critically injuring him. The Round Rock Police Department confirmed to KVUE that Whites died from his injuries April 27.
"He had the biggest servant heart of anybody that I've ever met,” said fellow officer Lynn Carmichael.
"He really cared for people,” said fellow officer Chris Wilson.
"No matter what, Charles was always there,” said fellow officer Josh Chadney.
The Celebration of Life service for Whites was held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 2, at Shoreline Church, located at 15201 Burnet Road in Austin.
"A lot of friends miss him so dearly, of course they would, how could you not miss a man who appreciated your virtues and accepted flaws with such grace,” said Hal Scogin, Whites’ brother-in-law.
Whites "served the community for 19 years as a Patrol Officer, Field Training Officer, and SWAT Negotiator," according to Round Rock police.
"He had a way of connecting with people he had a knack making an angry person calm, or a sad person happy," said Police Chief Allen Banks.
Officer White's passing is the second Round Rock Police Department line of duty death. The first occurred in 1878, when City Marshal A.G. Hall died one week after he was shot during a gunfight with two brothers at a local saloon.
Police told KVUE that immediately following the service outside of the church, full Law Enforcement Honors were conducted, including a procession back to Beck Funeral Home, located at 15709 Ranch Road 620.
In lieu of flowers, the family of Officer Whites encourages contributions to the Round Rock
Police Officers Association.
The Round Rock Police Department's lobby and administrative offices was closed Wednesday, with the Williamson County Sheriff's Office and DPS stepping in to assist with calls in order for RRPD personnel to attend the services.
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