Fort Bend County Judge KP George Observes the 22nd Anniversary of 9/11, Honors Local First Responders

Today, Fort Bend County Judge KP George hosted a 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony at the Historic Fort Bend County Courtyard to honor the memory of the lives lost in the tragic events of September 11, 2001, and acknowledge the bravery, dedication, and sacrifice of those who serve and protect our community.

During the ceremony, Judge KP George extended special recognition to four outstanding Fort Bend County first responders for their remarkable service following 9/11. These individuals exemplify the unwavering commitment to public safety that defines Fort Bend County's first responders. The honorees are:

Fort Bend County Precinct 4 Constable Mike Beard: With nearly 40 years dedicated to law enforcement, Constable Beard not only served his community as a Master Peace Officer and the Needville Police Chief but also made significant contributions post-9/11 as an International Police Task Force Deputy Station Commander in Kosovo and Team Leader in Iraq,

Texas A&M Task Force 1 Team Member and Sugar Land Fire Department Lieutenant Greg Hopper: Lieutenant Hopper's service as a member of Texas A&M Task Force 1, was at ground zero as a member of the FEMA Search and Rescue efforts. Additionally, his duties at the Sugar Land Fire Department, have demonstrated his remarkable courage and resilience, even in the face of adversity.

Fort Bend County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management Coordinator Greg Babst: Greg Babst, in the aftermath of 9/11, was deployed to the Port of Seattle in Washington state. He was later deployed to the Arabian Gulf as a Surfman in the Pacific Northwest and served as a Military Foreign Advisor to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's Border Guard.

Fort Bend County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management Emergency Public Information System’s Administrator Matt Walker: Matt Walker, during his esteemed service in the United States Coast Guard (2000-2020), fortified our nation’s security post-9/11, particularly safeguarding the Potomac River region.

“I, along with the entire Fort Bend County community, express deep gratitude to these exceptional individuals for their remarkable service during and after 9/11 and their continued dedication to the residents of Fort Bend County,” stated Judge George. “Their unwavering commitment to public safety and emergency response serves as an inspiration to us all.”

Today's ceremony was a powerful reminder of the unity and resilience that defines Fort Bend County, as we remember the tragic events of 9/11 and honor the heroes who protect our community every day.

Source: Fort Bend County