Brett Karl Heilman

Lubbock Police Dept. — Lubbock, TX

Suicide Veteran Honored

End of Watch June 18, 2020

Age 46

The Vigil Panel 172 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 7

Biography

Corporal Brett Heilman served with the Lubbock Police Department for 17 and had been retired because of an on the job injury when he died by suicide on June 18, 2020. He spent his early childhood growing up on a cattle ranch in De Kalb, Texas where his ashes were laid to rest. After high school, Brett enlisted into the United States Air Force. He served as an Airman Security Specialist in the 507th Security Police Squadron, where he was quickly commended by his Master Sergeant for his desire to be the “best of the best”. Brett was honorably discharged from the United States Air Force in 1999, having served for 7 years. After the Air Force, Brett attended Texas Tech University before answering the call to serve his community as a Lubbock Police officer. Brett served faithfully and honorably for 17 years before an injury on duty resulted in an honorable medical retirement from the Lubbock Police Department. He returned to college, this time at Tarleton State University. During this time, he met his wife Stephanie who was living in the Austin Texas area. He made the decision to relocate to Austin in order to begin their fairytale. Still wanting to make a difference, Brett became an insurance adjuster. He worked primarily for Eberl Claim Services and handled catastrophic property claims. In the midst of chaos and uncertainty for homeowners across the country, his calm and quiet voice would reassure them that they had someone in their corner to guide them through the process of rebuilding their home. His word and a handshake were his bond. His smile would light up a room despite his daily pain due to his injury on duty. Brett sought therapy for his past trauma but was unable to overcome his emotional pain.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-TX-5CC456B6
Stewardship: Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw: April 2, 2026
Last updated: July 23, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

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Tributes

Officer Brett Heilman served with the Lubbock Police Department.
Thank you for your service, and for your service before it. We will always remember your sacrifice.
You belong on this wall. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Lubbock Police Dept.

Location Lubbock, TX

Platform Identity lpd.lubbock.tx.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch June 18, 2020

Age 46

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Suicide

Military Service

Brett Karl Heilman served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.

Brett Karl Heilman is one of 256 officers honored for deaths connected to the weight of the job across the full record of this memorial — 0.8% of all 32,508 officers honored here.

In TX, 12 of 2,421 officers were honored for deaths connected to the weight of the job — 0.5% of this state's fallen.

At Lubbock Police Dept., 1 of 8 officers on record were honored for deaths connected to the weight of the job — 12.5% of this agency's fallen.

Lubbock Police Dept.

of 8 officers

12.5% Suicide

TX — Statewide

of 2,421 officers

0.5% Suicide

Nationwide

256

of 32,508 officers

0.8% Suicide