HARRIS COUNTY, Texas — Family, friends and colleagues honored and celebrated the life of Harris County Sheriff's Deputy Adam Howard who left behind a wife and two small children.
The young deputy died last week in an on-duty crash on Tomball Parkway.
During his funeral Wednesday at a Hockley church, Howard's wife Mary spoke to mourners about their love story that began as teenagers.
"We got to share a love that most people never get to experience. You were my true love, my first love, and I'm so honored that God chose me to be here," Mary said.
She said she kissed and hugged him and told him to "be safe" before he left on the day he died.
"I think what hurts the most with you being gone is your babies still calling for you. Aubrey wakes up every morning yelling, 'Daddy,' and AJ cries for you, telling me how much he wants you to come home, telling me that he misses you and he loves you with all his heart."
Mary said the children adored their father and their little faces would light up when he got home from work each day.
Laughter through the tears
Along with the tears, there was laughter during the funeral service Tuesday at Community of Faith Church in Hockley.
"Adam would be really upset if there wasn't laughter included today," the minister told mourners.
Lt. Shannon Bowdoin, an HCSO chaplain, shared a funny story about Deputy Howard when he got spooked by a horse during a skills training course.
"And when I say scared of a horse, he squealed so high-pitched that he sounded like a little pig squealing," Lt. Bowdoin said. "You know, I'm a hunter so I thought, 'I need to take this boy into the woods and use him as a hog call cause he'll bring in a good-sized boar or sow, so I can have me some bacon for the freezer, right.'"
'He loved serving'
The service took a more somber tone when Sheriff Ed Gonzalez spoke.
"Deputy Adam Howard embodied the best of the Harris County Sheriff's Office and his loss is devastating to his loved ones, the county and his brothers and sisters in blue," the sheriff said.
He remembered the deputy as a larger than life 'goofball' with a tender heart who cared deeply about keeping the community safe.
"He loved serving, he was a dedicated public servant, and I wish we could have more Adams in our ranks," Gonzalez said.
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Howard's partner, Deputy Raymond Garivey, worked alongside him in the Violent Gang Suppression Unit since they joined the department together in 2019.
"He came to me and said, 'Teach me how to talk to people,' and he had no idea that I was learning from him,'" Garivey said choking back tears. "He would always compliment me on scenes, 'I love the way you did that,' but he had no idea that he was the one giving me the strength."
Garivey said he often depended on the 6'5 Howard to protect him during calls. He shared a story about a call for a mental health crisis where he was forced to use his Taser, but it didn't phase the guy.
"It scared me because I saw this man going through a mental health crisis throw Howard across the room, so I was like, 'I'm outta here cause if this dude did that to Howard, he's gonna destroy me,'" Garivey said.
While the man struggled with Howard, Garivey Tased him again but then felt bad about what happened next.
"He started pooping all over the place," Garivey said. "He looked down and the dude had completely covered him in poop."
Along with his wife and children, Howard leaves behind his mother, father, sister and his family in blue.