Loading...
R-00-08-24-10A1 - 8/24/2000 RESOLUTION NO. R-00-08-24-10A1 WHEREAS, on July 19, 1878, Deputy A. W. Grimes became the first law enforcement officer to lose his life in Round Rock in a shootout with the outlaw Sam Bass, and WHEREAS, Deputy Grimes served his community with honor and distinction, ultimately giving his life to stop a bank robbery, and WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Round Rock wishes to commemorate Deputy Grimes' service to the community by naming Arterial ^B" A. W. Grimes Boulevard, Now Therefore BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROUND ROCK,TEXAS, The Arterial "B" shall hereafter be named A. W. Grimes Boulevard in his honor. The City Council hereby finds and declares that written notice of the date, hour, place and subject of the meeting at which this Resolution was adopted was posted and that such meeting was open to the public as required by law at all times during which this Resolution and the subject matter hereof were discussed, considered and formally acted upon, all as required by the Open Meetings Act, Chapter 551, Texas Government Code, as amended, and the Act. RESOLVED this 24th day of Au 2 00. RO A S UKA, J ayor AT ST: City of Round Rock, Texas JO E LAND, City Secretary R�\YPDOCS\RESOLVl\RO0824A1.HPD/ee Mayor Robert Stluka Mayor Pro Tem Earl Hairston _ Councilman Tom Nelson Councilwoman Carrie Pitt Councilman Earl Palmer Councilwoman Isabel Gallahan Councilman Jimmy Joseph The Board of Directors of the Frontier Days Corporation solicits your action to name arterial B"Deputy Grimes Boulevard".This action would further support the activities that the Frontier Days Corporation began last year with the permanent dedication of Frontier Days to the memory of Deputy A.W.Grimes. (((' Our purpose for that action and other planned activities designed to draw attention Ilk to the role of law enforcement and law abiding citizens taking part in the shoot out with the Sam Bass gang is to focus peoples attention away from the outlaws and to give just (� recognition to the good people of Round Rock. Deputy Grimes was an ordinary citizen of Texas,a family man with a wife and 3 children.Ahijah was born in Bastrop,Texas and learned the printing trade there.He married Lottie Lyman,daughter of Judge Lyman of Lampasas.In 1877 Ahijah joined the Texas Ranger Frontier Battalion.As was common with the Rangers then men often served short enlistments.Ahijah's service with the Rangers was about 4 months.Ahijah moved to Round Rock with his family and began work at the bank.He was asked by Sheriff Milt Tucker to see to law enforcement in Round Rock,hence his appointment as a deputy sheriff.His demise in 1878,at the age of 28,is well documented in the many books about the Sam Bass shoot-out.He has a place in history due to circumstance We feel that highlighting Deputy Grimes'role in the history of Round Rock will serve to draw attention to the real heroes of Round Rock and Texas.Deputy Grimes' grandfather,Jesse Grimes,was a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence.His uncle Albert Grimes perished at the Alamo.So in reading about Deputy Ahijah W. Grimes,citizens of Round Rock,school children,tourists,and visitors to the Chisholm Trail will become more aware of the role ordinary citizens placed in extraordinary circumstances played in making Round Rock the great place to live that it is today. We would like to have Round Rock known more for having a law abiding history that for being the place where Sam Bass died.Deputy Grimes'tombstone in the Round Rock cemetery reads"Gone But Not Forgotten". His grave has had far fewer visitors than the outlaws also buried there. Thank you for your consideration of this request. Sincerely r� Frontier Vays Corporatio oard members Rufus Honeycutt Executive Director i i cjfM" Dominic DiGesualdo Round Rock Sertoma Juan Campaneria Christine Lee Keith Hickman Round Rock Rotary Scott Swindell Joe Gonzales Round Rock El Amistad Ray Eufracio Rebecca Feldman Round Rock Jaycees Connie Bills Billy Lyles Round Rock Kiwanis Round Rock Citizen's Police Academy Alumni Association 615 Palm Valley Boulevard Round Rock,Texas 78664 Phone: (512)218-6664 Fax: (512)218-3267 July 17,2000 The Honorable Robert Stluka City Hall 221 East Main Round Rock,TX 78664 Dear-Mayor Stluka: The Round Rock Citizen's Police Academy Alumni Association would like to take this opportunity to express its support for naming Arterial B in honor of Deputy A.W. Grimes. On July 19, 1878,Deputy A.W.Grimes became the first lawman to lose his life in Round Rock in a shootout with the outlaw Sam Bas. While history has romanticized Bass, making him somewhat of a legend,the real hero that day was a law enforcement officer who gave his life to stop a hank robbery, Deputy ridnies served his community with honor and distinction. At his gravesite in the local cemetery,his epitaph reads"Gone But Not Forgotten". It is deserving that such service to the community be commemorated in a lasting manner. To accomplish this goal,Frontier Days has now been dedicated to Deputy Grimes'memory. The RRCPAAA has been working with the Frontier Days Corporation to establish The Deputy A.W. Grimes Award to honor a Williamson County Peace Officer who embodies commitment, initiative and dedication to their community. This award will hopefully serve to further honor his memory. It would be wonderful if these efforts could be supplemented by naming a major roadway in Deputy Grimes' honor. It would serve as an on-going reminder to the citizens of Round Rock of the role Grimes played in the history of our town and what better way to offer a lasting tribute. Thank you for your consideration of this request. Sincerely, The Round Rock Citizen's Police Academy Alumni Association Round Rock Citizen's Police Academy Alumni Association 615 Palm Valley Boulevard Round Rock,Texas 78664 Phone: (512)218-6664 Fax: (512)218-55N On July 19,1878,Deputy A.W.Grimes became the first lawman to loose his life in Round Rock,Texas in a shootout with a no-account named Sam Bass. While history has romanticized Bass,making him somewhat of a legend,the real hero that day was a law enforcement officer who gave his life to stop a bank robbery. On that fateful day,Deputy Grimes was serving his community with honor and distinction. Today our law enforcement officers follow Deputy Grimes tradition,responding to the needs of our citizens in countless ways,helping keep Williamson County,and cities like Round Rock,great places to call home. In spite of the ultimate sacrifice made by Deputy-Grimes,the Frontier Days Committee has struck an award to honor a Williamson County Peace Officer who embodies commitment, initiative and dedication to their community. This Peace Officer makes a habit of making a difference in people's lives. For this officer,to protect and to serve is not a one-time event, but a way of life. This officer symbolizes the qualities we desire in all officers. If you are aware of a peace officer that serves a law enforcement agency in Williamson County and who exemplifies the qualities described above,please nominate that officer for this prestigious award. The"Deputy A.W.Grimes Award"will be presented Saturday, October 7,2000 at the annual Round Rock Frontier Days celebration. The criteria for nomination are: • Must have been a sworn peace officer of a law enforcement agency for a minimum of two(2)years. • Should be recognized by their fellow officers as being a top performer. • Should be recognized within their community as a person that has a very positive influence on the citizens. Judging will be conducted in September by a panel of community leaders. Submissions are to be essays detailing why the nominee is deserving of special recognition. The nominee's name,rank,marital status,children's name's and ages,description of their background in law enforcement,and description of present duties need to be included. The Round Rock Frontier Days Corporation has dedicated the event to the memory of Deputy Grimes. It is expected that this award will be given each year at the annual Frontier Days celebration. The Citizen's Police Academy Alumni Association of Round Rock will host the award and the social immediately following. RECEIVED AUG - 2 2000 ROUND ROCK POLICE DEPARTMENT (�1,��'DO 90E1Cf (tJJ 615 E.PALM VALLEY BLVD ROUND ROCK,TEXAS 78664 PHONE:(512)218-5500 pCCNp R�� FAX:(512)218-7060 TE%A "TO PROTECT and SERVE" July 28,2000 The Honorable Mayor Robert Stluka City Hall 221 E.Main Street Round Rock,TX 78664 Dear Mayor Stluka: The Round Rock Police Department would like to take this opportunity to express our support and encouragement in naming Arterial B in the honor of slain Deputy Ahijah W.Grimes. A.W.Grimes was not only a law enforcement officer for Williamson County,but also a citizen of our city. At the age of 28,A.W.Grimes along with his wife,Lottie,two children;3 year old Elizabeth and 2 year old Benjamin and a third daughter,Mabel(later born in Round Rock), moved from Bastrop to Round Rock in 1878. On July 19,1878 Deputy Ahijah W.Grimes laid his life on the line for the citizens of Round Rock. On that hot Saturday afternoon,Deputy Grimes unknowingly approached the Bass Gang for a minor infraction of the law. He paid the ultimate sacrifice--his life was taken while doing his job as a Texas peace officer. To this day, peace officers are subjected to this constant threat,which occurred last month in Austin. Deputy Grimes was buried in the Round Rock Cemetery with Masonic honor with the epitaph of "Gone But Not Forgotten". This tragedy left behind a young widow with three small children. To show appreciation for A.W.Grimes'sacrifice,the citizens of Round Rock collected and gave Mrs.Grimes$200. Major Jones of the Texas Rangers gave her one of the horses that had belonged to a Bass Gang member. The Houston and Texas Central Railroad also presented Mrs. Grimes with$250. Now is the opportunity to make a gift of indebtedness and show of respect for the man,Ahijah W. Grimes,along with the occupation of law enforcement. This profession sometimes requires the ultimate sacrifice--giving one's life while protecting the lives of others. Mayor Robert Stluka July 28,2000 Page 2 With the Council's approval,the naming of Arterial B as A.W.Grimes would serve: 1) as a continual reminder for Round Rock citizens of the role he played in our history;and 2) as a lasting memorial for Deputy Grimes and the display of affection and appreciation to his descendants--letting them know that Ahijah is truly"Gone But Not Forgotten". tly, Paul Conner Chief of Police PC:SS:jak ��`� S�4s' DATE: August 18,2000 SUBJECT: City Council Meeting—August 24,2000 ITEM: IO.A.1. Consider a resolution naming Arterial"B"Deputy Grimes Boulevard. Staff Resource Person:Councilman Palmer and Councilwoman Pitt.