Upton County Sheriff's Department, Texas
End of Watch Sunday, July 2, 1989
Reflections for Deputy Sheriff Jerry Austin Register
Heavenly Father, I come before You today grieved in heart over the divisions in our country; the United States of America. I grieve for every life lost to violence, regardless of color or creed. And I especially grieve this day over the senseless deaths of America’s Peace Officers whose sworn duty is to protect us from harm. Please grant comfort and hope to their families. I know from the Holy Scriptures in Romans 13 that Peace Officers have a sacred task, to enforce laws that protect the innocent and punish the guilty. I pray that You will protect them as they serve us. Give them wisdom, discernment, and a deep desire to serve You. Please surround every Peace Officer in our nation, the United States of America, with battalions of warring angels to protect them from harm. I stand in the powerful and mighty name of the Lord Jesus Christ against every work of Satan intended to inflict injury and death on our Protectors. May Satan’s power be thwarted, in Your mighty and holy name, and his plans exposed by Your Light. In the mighty and holy name of the Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior, our Redeemer, and the Mediator between us, Heavenly Father, in prayer, and by His authority, I pray! Amen.
Please find Encouragement, Comfort, Support, and Hope from God's Word:
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”
[Matthew 5:9 ESV];
"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." [Psalm 23:4 ESV];
"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends."
[John 15:13 ESV];
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." [Matthew 5:4 ESV];
"And he [Jesus] said to him, "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise." [Luke 23:43 ESV], and;
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." [John 3:16 ESV].
Chaplain Steven R. Closs, DDiv, MSBS, NACM, NCCA
Ordained Independent NACM Minister
The Badge 183 Peacemakers Prayer Ministry
Member: Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers - USA
Captain Steven R. Closs (Retired)
Nashua NH Police Department (1974-1998)
July 1, 2025
Thank you for your service and always know that your sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten. Rest in peace.
Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)
July 2, 2020
Time may have passed but you are not forgotten. I believe as long as someone remembers you or speaks your name, you are still with us.
Thank you for your heroism.
GOD Bless
Detention Officer A.Zambito
Texas
July 4, 2015
I met Jerry when he was Chief in Deleon TX. He was a great mentor to younger Officers and an exceptional person in many regards. Jerry was a good Christian friend and a great Officer. Thank you for that friendship and keeping us safe. You are remembered and honored.
Anonymous
January 22, 2015
Jerry served on LBJ's staff very early on before his decision to enter law enforcment. He told many stories of conversations he had with the future president. The one that sticks is "learn the people your around and do your damndest to enhance they're way of life. In doing that you enhance your own". My dad was a hard man, but a very fair man. The lessons he taught me, I try to live and pass on every day. The day of " Old school Texas Lawman" are over I fear. Jerry Austin Register was one of them.
CPL Jerry Winsor
USMC
July 1, 2014
I HAVE WORKED WITH OFFICERS WHO KNEW THIS MAN, THEY HAVE NOTHING BUT PRAISE FOR HIM.
DEPUTY SHERIFF DAVID L. WOOD
UPTON CO. TX SHERIFFS OFFICE
August 3, 2011
"The Badge"
He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.
He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.
Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.
He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.
His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.
He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.
And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.
But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.
Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.
Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.
So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.
In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.
Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.
Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1993 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission
Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC
March 5, 2008
Jerry gave me my first job as a police officer with the Stanton Texas Police Department in 1979. He gave me a chance at the age of 19 when I could not even buy the bullets for my gun. Now 28 years later I am looking to retire. I appriciate his sevice to Texas and his willingness to give me a chance.
Sergeant Bill Cooper
Texas DPS
July 30, 2007
Thank you for your service and dedication.
Heros are never forgotten. Rest in peace.
911 Dispatcher
Virginia
July 2, 2007
Rest in peace, my brother
March 30, 2005

