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Incident
Police Officer Ronny Lerma was killed after being struck by a van during a traffic stop on the southbound lanes of Interstate 635 at Centerville Road at 10:50 a.m. As Officer Lerma was reaching over his motorcycle to get out his ticket book, the van pulled into the median and struck him, throwing him down the highway. The van also struck the vehicle that Officer Lerma had pulled over, pushing it into oncoming traffic and killing the driver. The driver of the van was injured in the accident and admitted to the hospital. The driver pleaded guilty to criminally negligent homicide and was sentenced to five years of probation and a fine of $5000. Officer Lerma had served with the Garland Police Department for 11 years and previously served with the Dallas County Sheriff's Office.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
NW-BEVS-6W1Z-6earlier record number BO-US-TX-3D90342A- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Lerma gave the Garland Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Garland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Lerma.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Garland Police Department has lost 3 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Ronnie is one of 657 officers lost to accidents in TX, 27.1% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Ronnie is one of 8,274 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,543 remembered there.
Ronnie is one of 10,099 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,910 remembered here.
33,910 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1998, 7 officers in TX were lost to accidents, the 25th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1994, with 14.
In 1998, 84 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 21st heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1998, 93 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 31st heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Ronnie was 39. Of the 626 lost to accidents in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 46; the middle age was 36. Ronnie had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Ronnie was 39. Of the 7,715 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Ronnie had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Ronnie was 39. Of the 9,448 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Ronnie had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 9.7% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 11.7%. Mondays: 12.8%.
September holds 9.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Mondays: 13.4%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Mondays: 13.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 33.3% of all 3 deaths at Garland Police Department, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 27.1% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,543 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,910 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Garland Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Ronnie among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 61-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Garland Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
