Major Roy Allen Birdsong

1953 - 2023

Major Roy Allen Birdsong, 69, of Port Neches, died Tuesday, December 19, 2023. He was born on December 23, 1953, in Beaumont, to Margaret Douglas and Roy Allen Birdsong, Sr.

He graduated from Beaumont High School in 1973. After a brief employment with the Kountze Police Department, he began a 40-year career with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department and reached the accreditation of Master Peace Officer. His initial assignment began as a jailer in the "old" jail within the courthouse.

He was rose to the rank of Lieutenant with the Patrol Division and would later be promoted to Major with the Law Enforcement Division. This entailed working in the Jefferson County Narcotic's Task Force; a joint task force comprised of local, state, and Federal agencies (Jefferson, Hardin, Chambers, Orange County; Port Neches PD, Nederland PD, Port Arthur PD, Beaumont PD, Texas Department Public Safety, DEA and FBI, Customs).

Roy also served as Commander of Special Weapons & Tactics (SWAT) team for over twenty years. This team handled hostage situations, barricaded suspects, forced entry into buildings or homes as well as executing narcotic raids and special search warrants and assist in other emergency crisis situations. He also earned his private pilot license and at times acted as copilot for the Sheriff's Aviation Unit for both the fixed wing aircraft and helicopter.

He was honored to have ended his career as a Water Safety Officer's within the Marine Safety Patrol. This unit provides safe escort for vessels within the County marine waterways and assists with boating accidents. In this role, he received the United States Coast Guard 50 Ton Master Captain's License.

Roy and his family spent annual summer vacations on the Islands of Sanibel and Captiva in Florida. He was also avid fisherman and hunter. The family are members of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Port Neches, Texas.

Survivors include his wife of thirty-two years, Julie Birdsong; son, Logan Birdsong; brother, Paul Birdsong; niece, Amanda Birdsong; sister, Dollie Hollingsworth and nephew, Ryan Hollingsworth.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law, Emmett Hollingsworth.

Memorial contributions for Mr. Birdsong may be made to Baylor College of Medicine - Movement Disorder Fellowship Fund, 7200 Cambridge Street, 9th Floor, Suite 9A, Houston, Texas 77030.

A gathering of Mr. Birdsong's family and friends will begin at 1:00 p.m., with a Celebration of Life service to follow at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, January 27, 2024, at Broussard's, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont.

Complete and updated information may be found at: broussards1889.com.