Murdered detention officer memorial service held

MIDLOTHIAN – The Ellis County Sheriff’s Office honored the memory of Officer Isaiah Bias, 28, allegedly murdered by an Ellis County jail inmate at the Wayne McCollum Detention Center in Waxahachie last week. 

Ellis County law enforcement agencies and residents mourned the death of Bias at a memorial service held last Monday at the Midlothian Conference Center in Midlothian.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott also authorized the flags of the State of Texas and the United States to be lowered to half-staff immediately in Ellis County in honor of the life and service of Bias.

Flags were returned to full-staff by sunrise Dec. 24, after the memorial service.

Ellis County Sheriff Brad Norman said, “Today we will honor Officer Bias for the courage and dedication in which he served the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office. 

“He paid the ultimate sacrifice and his memory will never be forgotten. Rest In Peace Brother…. We will take it from here.”

As a teenager, Bias had participated in the Ellis County Sheriff’s Explorers program, which provided training and leadership skills for his future career in law enforcement.

According to those who worked with Bias, “everyone loved him.”

The Midlothian Police Department took part in the memorial service held in that city and assisted with the funeral precession and memorial service, including partial road closures along the 287 Service Road at Midlothian Parkway and all of Mt. Zion Road the day of the memorial service.

“Midlothian Police Department was privileged to assist with the services honoring Officer Isaiah Bias,” said Midlothian Police Chief Carl Smith. 

“Sheriff Norman and his staff sparred no effort to honor the life of Officer Bias and the outpouring of support by our law enforcement community and the citizens of Ellis County was truly heartwarming.”

Smith said the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office and Fort Worth Police Department provided outstanding support in the effort to honor Officer Bias and his family and agencies from across the DFW Metroplex, throughout the state, and several from other states attended Monday’s memorial service.

“There is nothing that will ever replace the energy and impact Officer Bias brought to his family, friends, co-workers and officers who met him,” Smith concluded.