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Houston McCoy Obituary

Houston McCoy, the Austin police officer who stopped University of Texas Tower sniper Charles Whitman more than 46 years ago, died today in a rest home in his home town of Menard. He was 72.

Published by Austin American-Statesman on Dec. 28, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for Houston McCoy

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82 Entries

Blessings to your family. A true Texas hero.c

Carrie howser

April 4, 2017

What a true man and a brave and expert shooter. Words can never express the emotions of his life and the praise due him.

Sandra Padgett

February 27, 2017

Brave man, hugely capable all round good American. RIP.

Brian Daniel

January 18, 2017

Truly a brave american

richard tompkins

December 22, 2016

RIP Mr. McCoy...you are a true hero! Thank you for your service to all!

kathy larue

December 8, 2015

From a retired Police Officer in Sydney to the McCoy Family belated best wishes. A horrible incident resolved through the sacrifice and bravery of Houston McCoy and the other brave officers on the scene. Condolences also to the families of the victims of the sniper even though it was now such a long time ago.

Paul Macklin

August 5, 2015

Thank you. RIP

April 19, 2015

I was a 15 year old boy growing up in India on the other side of the world when I read about the UT sniper in the papers and the officer who took him out. Twenty nine years later I visited Austin, Texas to see the sight of the shootings.
Houston McCoy you are a hero and one of Gods angels. May you be with the Lord.

Derek Monterro

February 27, 2015

I watched a show called crime to remember tonight and I remember seeing footage of that day when I was a child. I want to say to Mr. Houston McCoy and his family that even though you do not want your name associated with that day, you were able to prevent a larger scale massacre on that day. May God be with, and RIP for your role in making sure more harm was not done on that day. God Bless you for living a very low key life and spending quality time with your family and friends. Can"t imagine that life in 2014, I know it was special for your kids and grandkids. RIP.

S.Yolanda Grant

December 2, 2014

I came across this story as they were selling the rifle that Whitman used. I read so much about this man that stopped him in his tracks, wow what a character, I have read tribute after tribute about the man who carried out his duty so professionally on that fateful day in such horrific circumstances. I loved the way he lived his simple but fruiful life with his family, no tv, hunting, fishing and so on....can you imagine that now in 2014? Impossible. I never knew you Mr McCoy but I salute you as a real hero and gentleman!

Jimmy

September 26, 2014

Your courage, selflessness and valiant care for your fellow
man transcends time and continues to resonate in our contemporary world. A daunting task, no glory sought, a scary climb to save the innocent. Your service to others says much about and for you. Rest quietly, your soul at peace, you did your very best.

Jeffrey Bickham

January 5, 2013

Rest with the Lord and be at peace in His arms my cousin.

Roger Vinsant

January 4, 2013

Rest in peace. Blessed are the peacemakers. Thank you for being a role model for your family and mankind. Thank you for a job well done and for being a cousin.

Angela Willingham

January 3, 2013

Blessed are the peacemakers. Rest in peace and thank you for a job well done.

Angela Willingham

January 3, 2013

Kris, Jacque and family, I am sorry for the loss of your dad. I know he never wanted to be known as a hero, but he truly was. My sister was a student at UT at the time of the shooting and I remember how panicked we were watching a mad man shoot innocent people from the UT tower. I hope your good memories of your dad and grandfather help to ease your pain at this time. Let Pete and I know if we can help you in any way.

Nancy Zenner

January 3, 2013

God Bless You. May you rest in peace. I pray for peace and comfort for your loved ones left behind.

chris martin

January 3, 2013

Kristy Greene

January 2, 2013

I offer sincere condolences to the family from a distant relative. Houston was a hero to so many on earth, and now he has his angel wings. Godspeed.

Donna Bradshaw

January 2, 2013

May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.

Nutter

January 1, 2013

You are a childhood hero of mine and one of the reasons that I dedicated 25 years of my life to the police department.
RIP my old friend. Your watch is over. We've got it from here.

Ken

January 1, 2013

May the Lord welcome you with open arms for a job well done on earth.
May you rest in peace.

Ramiro Martinez

January 1, 2013

Rest in Peace sir. Thank you for your service.

January 1, 2013

Houston McCoy - A Real American Hero Officer Gary Constantine San Francisco PD

December 31, 2012

god speed good sir thank you for your service to the austin police department you did well.......

williamson donnie

December 31, 2012

May the memories of Mr. McCoy bring you comfort as you reflect on his accomplishments and heroism. May God comfort you and strengthen you as well to endure this loss. Isaiah 61:2

December 31, 2012

THANK YOU FOR YOUR COURAGE BRAVERY, A MOMENT IN TIME THAT WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN!

Gail Socha

December 31, 2012

My condolences to the family may the God of peace & comfort be with you at this difficult time

December 30, 2012

My condolences to Mr. McCoys family .
May he give u strenghth thru these difficult times ..

Ssgt.Ignacio Martinez

December 29, 2012

Rest in peace. You are a hero to many.

Liz Dickens

December 29, 2012

Truly a hero, a type of person sdaly lacking in today's world. RIP Mr Houston McCoy.

John Dickinson

December 29, 2012

I hope you now have peace, Houston.

Jo Carolyn McCain

December 29, 2012

Houston, you were one of my childhood heroes. I was lucky enough to actually get to know you and visit with you. What an honor and a treat! To the McCoy family, I send my love, prayers, and gratitude. Thanks for sharing Houston with us - a true Texas treasure and "a good old boy".

A Ply

December 29, 2012

rest in peace

k adams

December 29, 2012

MAN OF HONOR

JOEY CARUSO

December 28, 2012

RIP Officer McCoy and thank you for your service to your fellow man.

Tony

December 28, 2012

The Mccoy family and Texas lost a treasure. May he rest in peace.

Edwin

December 28, 2012

I was on campus that August day and I thank a fellow West Texan from Menard and I'm from Eldorado - big football rivals! - for all he did and in typical West Texas style, he proclaimed it was his job and all of the others were also there and helped.

Donna Beth McCormick

December 28, 2012

May the Mccory family find comfort in knowing that God's Word can sustain you during this difficult time. (Psalms 55:22) I offer the family my condolences.

Cg

December 28, 2012

December 28, 2012

As another student present that day, I say thank you for you service, and a job and life well done. Best wishes to all family and friends in this difficult time.

James Shaw

December 28, 2012

Truly Courageous Hero! Thank you for your service Sir!

Robert Bryson

December 28, 2012

Houston, It was a great pleasure knowing you and will always cherish your visits to the UT Tower when you were in town. Thank you for relating the true story of what occurred on that tragic day. You sir,are truly the real hero, since it was you, who stopped Whitman. You were never given the credit for your heroic actions and you never asked for it. You will always be given credit by me, every chance someone asks me if I was present at the Tower incident. I was not present, but we both share similar incidents. Thank you for making me your friend and for the photo. May you rest in peace.
UT POlice Officer, retired 1-30-2000;
Pascual "Don" Marquez

December 28, 2012

The best of America-A true quiet, humble hero who puts his own life on the line during moments of terror in attempt to save others! God Bless you, Mr. McCoy, and thank you for your selflessness, dedication, and service!

David I.

December 28, 2012

I am saddened at the news of Your loss. He was a good friend and a great flight instructor.
God has a place for him

Jon D.

December 28, 2012

A special thank you from one who was there. Officer McCoy's brave actions helped prevent an even greater slaughter than that which Charles Whitman accomplished. May he rest in peace. Job well done.

Retha Reeves

December 28, 2012

Proud fellow Texan and neighbor!

J Hernandez

December 28, 2012

You were a true Hero, Houston. Thank you for being my friend... I will miss you.

Jenny Hernandez

December 28, 2012

A true hero gods angle . Rip sir.

Johnny Carrillo

December 28, 2012

Well done officer, RIP

December 28, 2012

Rest in peace ~ thank you for protecting us.

December 28, 2012

Thank you for your service Officer McCoy.

Merrill Nelson

December 28, 2012

May the family of Mr. MCCOY find peace comfort in knowing that your love one saves lives while doing what he enjoyed serving the public now as he rests for a little while take strength in knowing that God promises to wipe out sickness pain sorrow tears and death soon.

carmen woods

December 28, 2012

Many many lives were saved thanks to Officers McCoy and Ramirez. I was yet to be born but I remember when I was first told of the incident. I also remember the TV movie. How sad that it became more and more common since that fateful day. However, thanks to him, many policemen/women know how to approach and bring down those who would hurt others. God bless his family and friends at this time. A real hero.

Tami B

December 28, 2012

To Serve and Protect

December 28, 2012

Sorry for your loss. May you find comfort in the Hearer of prayer at this time. Psalm 65:2

December 28, 2012

I ask that God will provide strength and comfort for his family and close friends.

J.E.WB

December 28, 2012

Offering my deepest condolences during this difficult time, I'm so very sorry for your loss, death is something we are never prepared for, but please find comfort in knowing God has promised He will do away with sickness, pain and death for His word is truth.

December 28, 2012

A quiet hero who will be greatly missed. God bless you and your family.

Dan Swift

December 28, 2012

Rest in Peace

Scott Chamberland

December 28, 2012

Our deepest sympathy on the loss of your dear loved one. Sending our condolences and heartfelt prayers. Cherish the good times that you shared with him. May the God who gives peace be with you all.-Ro.15:33

Browns

December 28, 2012

God bless Houston and all the family. A super hero and great person. Chief Deputy Sheriff [ret]. Terry J. Clark, Wyandotte County Kansas

Terry J. Clark

December 28, 2012

A true, brave American hero...RIP.

Terry Stephenson

December 28, 2012

You were a great example for all of us to follow.
Lieutenant Craig Cannon, retired

December 28, 2012

A true man plays the part of a hero one day, and spends the rest of his time in modesty...

December 27, 2012

Well done good and faithful servant. Well done

Harry Simpson

December 27, 2012

God bless your family for the dear loss of such a courageous man.Do not know Mr.Houston but God has his rewards in heaven for him for all the great deeds he has done on earth.I know he will be missed by loved ones,but remember he is in a better place.You all are in my prayers.

Carol

December 27, 2012

My cousin was on the Drag that day and a bullet struck the car next to him. Thank you for your bravery then and your service before and after.

Russell Stevens

December 27, 2012

To Mr. Houston McCoy family,
My prayers will always be there with you,
May God give you the strength to come out of this critical situation,
My deep condolences my friend!

Kimtraila Williams

December 27, 2012

A courageous man who saved others from being shot -- rest in peace.
CTT

December 27, 2012

Jackie Cano

December 27, 2012

Houstons,Texans.R.I.P. You good ol. boy Please god bless him.

steve alvarez

December 27, 2012

My twin brother was pined down on the drag that day. officer mccoy may have saved his life. thank you sir.

joe todd

December 27, 2012

RIP my old friend

Gil Harper

December 27, 2012

May God rest your soul, Officer McCoy. Thanks for your bravery on that awful, deadly day at UT.

Julia Ballard

December 27, 2012

My prayers are with his family. He is at peace.

Darren Pellecchia

December 27, 2012

A true Texas hero! He made a difference.

Joe & Maggie Longley

December 27, 2012

I'm really sorry to learn this. Many thanks to Officer McCoy for his courage in responding to the difficult duty to protect citizens as he did that long-ago day. Thanks, too, for a whole career of protecting citizens. You have certainly earned our respect and affection. I know you'll be missed.
May the Good Lord bless and keep you and your family.

GaryTodd

December 27, 2012

Happy Landings! Your courage will be remembered.

Frank Coggins

December 27, 2012

Houston was a fine officer and a true hero in stopping the snipper. He gladly stood in the background and let Martinez get the glory and mentions in articles and made for TV movies. Thank you for your service and may you rest in the heavens peacefully.

J Duffy

December 27, 2012

I talked to Houston on August 1 of this year.
He will be missed by so many. And to be sure, when you think "Texan" think 'Houston.' His courage, modesty, and good heart are what all of us aspire to.

Donna Hartley Lucas

December 27, 2012

As someone who was walking in plain sight of the tower that day when the shooting still going on and was not shot, I always appreciated what Officer McCoy did. It was a very tough, unknown situation he walked into. Best wishes to all his family.

Tom Adams

December 27, 2012

To the family of Officer McCoy:
Thank you for sharing your dad with us and I hope that memories of him will comfort you in this time. Your dad saved countless lives and future generations of families on that awful day. Thank you! Thank You! Thank You!

Kelley Knight Heins

December 27, 2012

Rest In Peace. Your bravery and modesty will forever be a model for all of us in law enforcement.

L Candoli

December 27, 2012

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