Loved Ones Say Farewell To Fallen Officer
HOUSTON -- Friends and loved ones began paying their final farewells to a police officer who was killed by a suspected drunken driver in the line of duty, KPRC Local 2 reported Tuesday.
Officer Gary Gryder, a 25-year HPD veteran, died when he was hit by a car while directing traffic along the Katy Freeway feeder road near Highway 6 early Sunday.
The suspect, 24-year-old Hung Truong, appeared in court Monday morning on a manslaughter charge. His bond was set at $50,000. Investigators said that the charge could be upgraded to intoxication manslaughter depending on the outcome of toxicology tests.
A visitation was planned for Gryder at Klein Funeral Home at 16131 Champion Forest Drive from 4 to 9 p.m. Tuesday and from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday.
Gryder's funeral will be held at Champion Forest Baptist Church at 15555 Stuebner-Airline Road at 10:30 a.m. Thursday. He will be buried at Klein Memorial Park Cemetery in Tomball.
Gryder left behind a wife, who is a retired officer, a 13-year-old son, and a stepdaughter.
The car also hit Officer Joe Pyland, who is listed in fair condition at Memorial Hermann Hospital with broken bones. A third officer at the site, Officer Milton Sallie, managed to jump out the vehicle's path to escape injury.
Anyone who would like to help the officers' families with medical and funeral expenses can send donations, in care of Joe Pyland or Gary Gryder, to the Houston Police Officers Union, 1600 State Street, Houston, Texas, 77007 or to the 100 Club, 713-952-0100.