Daily Texan Staff
Raindrops slowly ran down a framed photograph of slain Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Randy Vetter, mirroring the tearful goodbyes of more than 100 local law enforcement officials at a ceremony in San Marcos Thursday.
Vetter died Aug. 7 from gunshot wounds suffered during a routine traffic stop days earlier, when he was shot as he sat in his patrol car. He had been writing a citation for a seat belt violation when the driver of the vehicle shot him.
The ceremony honored Vetter with a memorial marker, which was placed in front of the San Marcos DPS patrol station. A similar marker has been placed at the scene of the shooting on Interstate 35 near San Marcos.
The event gave Vetter's friends and fellow troopers one last chance to say goodbye.
Trooper Israel Camacho, Vetter's partner in New Braunfels, said he will be remembered as an exceptional and well-liked officer.
"He served with pride and honor," Camacho said. "My partner will be missed, but his spirit will live on."
Vetter was a six-year DPS veteran, commissioned a trooper in 1995. He had been stationed in New Braunfels until his transfer to San Marcos in July.
"His senseless death has saddened a community, a state and a nation," Camacho said.
Trooper J.J. Gutierrez, Vetter's partner in San Marcos, said Vetter had a true passion for his job and knew the risks associated with his duties.
"We know as officers that we may have to take a life, and that we may have our lives taken from us," Gutierrez said. "It is sad that we have to be here today, but Randy knew that this is something that can happen."
Many considered Vetter to be the best traffic accident investigator in the area as well as a man of intelligence, Gutierrez added.
DPS officials said Vetter received four letters of appreciation from the public for his assistance with various education and law enforcement issues while working in the area.
Vetter is survived by his wife Cynthia, their 10-month-old son Robert and the trooper's father, Kermit.
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