Deputy Sheriff Lester Dewayne Tatum
Trinity County Sheriff's Department
Texas
End of Watch: Wednesday, December 28, 2005

Biographical Info
Age: 42
Tour of Duty: 15 years
Badge Number: 404

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Automobile accident
Date of Incident: Wednesday, December 28, 2005
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Not available

Deputy Lester Tatum was killed in a vehicle crash while responding to a burglary in progress call.

The reporting party told the 911 operator that weapons were involved and a woman was alone with two young children.

The victim deputy left Groveton for Carlisle with his lights and his siren activated, heading south on FM 355. As he entered a right-hand curve near Old Onalaska Road, his squad car left the road on the left-hand side. The car struck several pine trees and the engine compartment caught fire. The fire was put out by members of the Groveton Volunteer Fire Department. Deputy Tatum died at the scene.

Deputy Tatum was the K-9 deputy for Trinity County and had served with the agency for for only 7 months. He had previously served with the Polk County Constable's Office - Precinct 1 and had a total of 15 years of law enforcement service.

Deputy Tatum is survived by his wife, two daughters, parents, and two grandchildren.