Holly MatkinMarble Falls, TX – Marble Falls Police Officer Andrew Howe died in an off-duty motorcycle crash as he was on his way to work on April 26.
The fatal collision occurred at approximately 5:20 a.m., as the 36-year-old officer was traveling westbound on RR 1431 on a 2006 Yamaha motorcycle, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) said, according to the DailyTrib.
Officer Howe was traveling at a high rate of speed, and passed several vehicles before he crested a hill approximately five miles east of the city.
But the roadway curved slightly at the top of the hill, and the veteran officer drove off the right-hand side of the roadway and into a ditch.
He then crashed into a culvert, and was launched off of the motorcycle.
Officer Howe was rushed to Baylor Scott and White Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
Marble Falls Assistant Police Chief Glenn Hanson said that Officer Howe had a promising future with the department, the DailyTrib reported.
“He came in and, within a short amount of time, became one of these natural leaders,” Chief Hanson explained.
Prior to joining the Marble Falls Police Department (MFPD) in 2017, Officer Howe served the Richardson Police Department for 10 years, The Highlander reported.
“What we saw in him was he brought experience and maturity. We have a lot of young officers, and he was someone who could serve as a mentor,” Chief Hanson told the DailyTrib. “We were very excited when he applied.”
“He was very level-headed and had experience,” the chief explained. “It didn’t long for him to begin providing that leadership.”
His outgoing, jovial personality made it easy for him to connect with citizens, and he was very approachable, Chief Hanson added.
“We’re still kind of in shock about it,” he said. “Someone who has become a part of us, our family, is gone. That hurts. We’re going to love on each other and support each other. We’ll get through it together, but it still hurts.”
Officer Howe leaves behind his wife, Lindsay, and his sons, 18-year-old Hunter and 15-year-old Hudson.
He will be laid to rest on Thursday.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Marble Falls Police Officer Andrew Howe, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.