BEAUMONT, Texas — A reserve deputy constable from Jefferson County was killed Friday morning after a Mack truck struck the rear of her patrol vehicle while she was conducting traffic control on Interstate 10 near Winnie, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Authorities identified the deputy as Heather Avery, 48, of the Jefferson County Precinct One Constable’s Office.
The crash occurred at approximately 7:41 a.m. in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 10 near the 830-mile marker in Chambers County. According to DPS Sgt. Shana Clark, Avery was working in the outside lane in a 2022 Ford Explorer with red and blue emergency lights activated when a Mack truck traveling east struck the rear of her vehicle.
Avery was pronounced dead at the scene by a justice of the peace.
In a statement, Jevonne “JC” Pollard, constable for Precinct One, said the department is mourning the loss.
“We are heartbroken by the tragic events of this morning that claimed the life of Reserve Deputy Heather Avery,” Pollard said. “Deputy Avery was a shining example of what is good in law enforcement and was a proud member of our department.” Pollard added that condolences are extended to Avery’s family and to “everyone who knew, loved, and was touched by Deputy Avery.”
Pollard spoke at length with 12News about the kind of person Avery was, and why she will be so missed.
Heather came to me about last spring or last summer, interested in a reserve deputy position. I didn’t know her before then, but she just had a ball of energy and enthusiasm, a great personality,” said Pollard. “I knew that she was somebody I wanted associated with my office. She’s everything that’s right with law enforcement. She loves people, she loves serving she especially loved empowering women, teaching women how to shoot firearms was her passion.”
Avery also served as a training director and firearms instructor with Freedom Firearms Training.
In a statement posted to Facebook, the organization said, “It is with profound sadness that we share the news of the passing of our beloved Training Director, Officer Heather Avery. Heather was far more than a title or a role — she was the heart of our Freedom training department.”
The statement continued, “We are devastated by this loss. Words feel inadequate, but we want her family to know — her husband, her loved ones, and her closest friends — that our hearts are with you completely. The grief we feel is a reflection of how deeply Heather was loved here, and how irreplaceable she truly is.”
Colleagues added that Avery’s dedication to training and her impact on those around her “left a mark on each and every one of us that will never fade,” encouraging others to honor her memory by supporting one another.
The crash remains under investigation.