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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Melissa Pollard was killed when her cruiser collided with the back of a semi-truck at the intersection of FM 14 and State Highway 37-S, between Quitman and Winnsboro, at approximately 10 a.m.
Deputy Sheriff Pollard succumbed to her injuries at UT Health Quitman.
The driver of the semi-truck was not injured.
Deputy Pollard had served with the Wood County Sheriff's Office for over eight years and had previously served with the Fannin County Sheriff's Office for three years and the Collin County Sheriff's Office for ten years.
Survivors
She is survived by her daughter, two sisters, her partner, and three grandchildren.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
21 years. You could have gone home.
Deputy Sheriff Pollard gave the Wood County Sheriff's Office 21 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Quitman community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Pollard.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Wood County Sheriff's Office has lost 6 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Melissa is one of 657 officers lost to accidents in TX, 27.1% of the 2,423 remembered there.
Melissa is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Melissa is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2025, 5 officers in TX were lost to accidents, the 54th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1994, with 14.
In 2025, 35 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 112th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2025, 37 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 117th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Melissa was 47. Of the 626 lost to accidents in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 46; the middle age was 36. Melissa had served 21 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Melissa was 47. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Melissa had served 21 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Melissa was 47. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Melissa had served 21 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 8.1% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 11.7%. Wednesdays: 16.1%.
April holds 7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
April holds 7% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Wednesdays: 14.6%.
How
Accident deaths account for 16.7% of all 6 deaths at Wood County Sheriff's Office, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 27.1% of all 2,423 deaths in TX, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
Her people
Wood County Sheriff's Office has 6 officers remembered here, Melissa among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Wood County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
