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Charles Billeck: Purple Heart Citation, Medal presented to family of fallen Corrigan officer
On Tuesday, Sept. 30, Corrigan Police Chief Darrell Gibson presented a Purple Heart Citation and Medal to the family of former Corrigan police officer, Charles Billeck. Billeck was killed in an automobile accident while responding to a call on July 10, 1992, while working for CPD.
Billeck's awards were issued on May 22, 1993, but were sent to the Amarillo Police Department and for some unknown reason have just recently been forwarded to the Corrigan Police Department.
The Amarillo Police Department held a Wreath Memorial Service on May 5 and honored Billeck and three other police officers, whose awards were also sent there. Amarillo PD sent a letter with the awards to Corrigan Police Department addressed to the Billeck family. The letter from a sergeant there stated, "I still do not know how our department came across these four citations for valor, however; I am determined to make sure they get to the families as they are deserved."
Chief Gibson contacted the family and made arrangements to present the award at City Hall. Gibson presented the awards to Billeck's son, Chris Billeck; daughter-in-law, Sabrina Billeck; Billeck's father and mother, Leonard and Billie Billeck; and Billeck's sister, Judy Billeck Betz and her friend, Roger Prince. Billeck's daughter, Sissy Billeck, was unable to attend. The Billeck family resides in Huntington.
Charles Raymond Billeck was 40 years old at the time of his passing. His son, Chris, was only 5 years old at the time.
Billeck's wife, Katy Lynette, predeceased him in 1987 and Billeck was raising their children. Billeck was a police officer for eight years
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Robert Blumrick
I remember Charlie was in my homeroom and we often sat together and shot the breeze with Mike Bludworth and Buddy Blaha. We started playing cards (poker, Blackjack, Indian Sweat) during homeroom when we didn't have anything else to kill the time. Our teacher (Mrs. Moseley, I believe) told us once she didn't like us playing cards in the back of the room. So one day Charlie brought some DOMINOES. Made so much noise "shaking the bones" Mrs. Moseley let us go back to playing cards.I remember Charlie lived on Pech and I went over to his house a few times and we watched T.V. and rode bikes to the Gerland's store and swapped record albums.
Sorry to hear he's left us. RIP, Charlie.
Bob Blumrick
Robert Blumrick
A BIG Thank You to whoever posted the update. It is a well-deserved tribute to a great man. I never knew until now the particulars regarding Charlie's death.
I hope Sissy and Chris know and remember what a great man and real friend their dad was.
Bob Blumrick
Barbara Parrott (McGinity)
Bob,
This was contributed by Barbara Bate.
Barbara Parrott McGinity