June 7, 2012 - The Houston Police Department is proud to announce the State of Texas will honor three HPD officers, who along with 18 other law enforcement officers from across the state will receive the 2011 State of Texas Law Enforcement Achievement awards in a ceremony in Austin TOMORROW (Friday, June 8).

Photos of the HPD honorees are attached to this news release.

Officer Kevin S. Will, sworn in as an officer in September of 2009, was assigned to the Vehicular Crimes Division. Officer Will, 38, was killed in the line of duty on May 29, 2011 when he was struck by a drunk driver as he was investigating a hit-and-run accident in north Houston. The suspect drove around barriers and emergency vehicles protecting the scene of the accident on the freeway. As he saw the vehicle approaching, Officer Will sacrificed his own personal safety and warned the witness to jump to safety moments before Officer Will was fatally struck. It is for this act of heroism the Award of Valor is being given to Officer Kevin S. Will posthumously.

Sergeant Ora Lanette Chandler, sworn in as an officer in May 1994, is assigned to the Homicide Division. Sergeant Chandler, who holds Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Education (TCLEOSE) Master Peace Officer and Instructor certifications, identified a need for specialized training in investigating deaths involving children. Recognizing these investigations require multi-agency cooperation, Sergeant Chandler developed a 16-hour course called, "Child Death Investigations: A Team Approach." Sergeant Chandler reached out to subject matter experts including Children's Protective Services, The Harris County District Attorney's Office, the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences, the Children's Assessment Center and social workers from local children's hospitals to develop this training. It is for Sergeant Ora L. Chandler's hard work and dedication to the law enforcement professionthat she is awarded the State of Texas Law Enforcement Achievement Award for Professional Achievement.

Sergeant Charles K. Allbright, sworn in as an officer in April 1979, is assigned to the Airport Division and holds a TCLEOSE Master Peace Officer Proficiency Certification. While on duty, Officer Allbright saw a contingency of soldiers escorting the remains of a fallen soldier from a commercial aircraft, and noticed the fallen soldier's family was not permitted to watch the escort, due to airport security restrictions. Sergeant Allbright, whose own son is in the United States Marine Corps., initiated the necessary security arrangements to alow the family members to the aircraft to accompnay the military honor guard escort. In addition, Sergeant Allbright coordinated with the Patriot Guard Riders and the HPD Motorcycle Solo Detail to ensure a proper escort would be given. Sergeant Allbright dedicated many off-duty hours to ensure the highest respect was provided to the fallen soldiers on their final arrival home and to their families. Sergeant Charles K. Allbright is awarded the State of Texas Law Enforcement Achivement Award for Public Service.

The ceremony honoring these three Houston police officers will be held Tomorrow(Friday, June 8), at 1100 Congress Avenue in the State Capitol Building, Extension Auditorium, Room E-1.004. There will be a reception following the ceremony.