HARRIS COUNTY, Texas — The Harris County Sheriff's Office deputy who was struck and killed by a truck on the Grand Parkway last week was laid to rest on Wednesday.
Deputy John H. Coddou III was escorted to his funeral service by bagpipes and fellow deputies. The sanctuary at Second Baptist Church West Campus in Katy was full, and so were the hearts of the people who attended.
Coddou's coworkers were remembered as full of energy and humor.
"After the first 30 minutes, you're wondering what kind of energy drinks this guy is having, and then he turns around and tell you, I don't drink that crap," one speaker said,
Coddou served his country in the U.S. Army before joining HCSO. He joined the sheriff's office as a detention officer in 2003 before becoming a deputy in 2005 and working in the Violent Crimes Unit.
"And I think it's it's very fitting that even his final act was one of service," said Sheriff Ed Gonzalez.
His wife Kathleen spoke at the funeral and said it was love at first sight for her. That was 11 years ago.
"The first time I saw John, I asked my coworker, 'Who is that man?' She said, 'That's John Caddou,' and I said, 'I'm going to marry that man one day.'"
A 21-gun salute and flyover took place outside the church following the service.
A graveside service was held at Forest Park Southwest Cemetery in Richmond.
The crash
HCSO investigators said Coddou stopped to help after he came up on a minor crash in the northbound lanes of the Grand Parkway near Cumberland Ridge Drive in the Cypress area. HCSO said he parked his vehicle on the left shoulder of the road with the right side of the vehicle partially blocking the far left lane. They said his emergency lights were on.
About five minutes after he stopped, the driver of a white Chevrolet truck tried to avoid the initial crash scene by swerving into the grassy median that divides the northbound and southbound lanes of SH-99.
Investigators said the driver of the truck was talking on his phone hands-free as he approached the crash scene.
Coddou, who was standing in the median, was struck by the front right side of the truck. He was flown to a hospital in the Texas Medical Center where he died.
The driver of the truck that struck Coddou remained at the scene. It's unclear if charges will be filed. The crash remains under investigation.