Deputy Constable John David Garcia

Dear Deputy Constable Garcia, and Your Loving Family,

It will be 20 years this year since you saved my life. I still remember that day in vivid detail. I have only spoken of this to a few people, as the event that took your life that day had a profound effect upon mine. I have thought about that day, and the loving family you left behind, and I can't help but wonder why?...but as they say, God works in mysterious ways. All the rest of my days, I will give thanks to you. I ask God to bless your family, until they are all reunited with you once again.

I remember that day so well. I had left my vehicle in Tomball overnight at my office where it was vandalized by some kids. So the next morning, July 17, 2003, I took the vehicle to some body shops in Tomball to get estimates for repairs. I had to drive to Conroe that day to apply for building permits (I worked for a homebuilder) and on the way back, traveling down FM 149 from Montgomery, I knew I could probably get one more estimate in Magnolia before I returned to my office. I was traveling along the narrow road behind a truck with a trailer. You were in your squad car behind me. I was struggling with the decision to return to Tomball immediately or turn right onto FM 1488 and go into Magnolia for one more estimate. All 3 of us approached the traffic light at 1488 and 149- the truck and trailer was first at the light, then me, then you in your squad car. As I was sitting there at the light you honked your horn behind me. I looked in my rearview mirror, but you didn't wave or signal to me in any way, and I thought this a curious thing. Now the light turned green, the truck with trailer continued on 149 and as I advanced to the intersection I made a split-second decision and turned right onto FM 1488. I observed you in my rearview mirror, cross over 1488 and continue on 149. Mere moments later I arrived at a body shop in Magnolia where the entire place was in silence listening to a police scanner. I whispered, "what happened?" and I was told a deputy constable was just killed on FM 149. I couldn't breathe, or speak. I was literally trembling, and I went out to my vehicle and broke down in tears. You see, for 3 years, every single time I went to get building permits, I traveled the exact same route without deviation, even once...until that day. I recognized the truth, that it would have been me. I was behind that truck and trailer, until you took my place. You lived your life helping people, and your final act was to save the life of a complete stranger. Was that what you said to me when you honked your horn only a moment or two before you made your great sacrifice? We were all surrounded by angels that day and they took us all into their arms...and some of them took you home.

Dear Mr. Garcia, it is almost 20 years later, and I have never forgotten you. I promise, I never shall. To your loving family, I have never been able to speak to you about this before now...but I truly hope you read these words, and know without a doubt, that just as Mr. Garcia lived an honorable life helping ordinary people, he died doing exactly that...he was an Earth Angel until the very end. God Bless your loving family. God Bless you Mr. Garcia, and I truly ask God, that all the remainder of my days be worthy of your great sacrifice.

Amber
ordinary citizen

March 27, 2023