Date set for celebration of life for Fort Worth police sergeant killed on duty Monday

The family of Sgt. Billy Randolph, the Fort Worth police officer killed on duty Monday morning, will have a celebration of life on Saturday.

Fort Worth police shared on social media that Randolph’s family will have the celebration of life at 10 a.m. at Christ Chapel Bible Church at 3701 Birchman Ave. in Fort Worth.

Authorities said Randolph died after he was hit by a suspected drunk driver while he was working at a freeway crash scene. DeAujalae Evans, 25, was arrested on intoxication manslaughter of a peace officer. Police Chief Neil Noakes said that after hitting Randolph while driving the wrong way up an Interstate 35W off ramp, Evans drove about a quarter-mile before getting out and trying to flee on foot.

Evans was on probation for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon from a 2023 domestic-violence shooting, according to court records.

Randolph, a husband, father and grandfather who served in the Air Force for four years before becoming a police officer, served almost 30 years with the department. His family said he was preparing to retire in a couple years, though Noakes said he could have retired earlier.

Randolph kept working because he loved his community and wanted to be there for the officers under his command, Noakes said. Randolph was the kind of leader who wouldn’t ask anybody to do something he wasn’t willing to do himself, according to Noakes.

Assist The Officer - Fort Worth is accepting donations for Randolph’s family at https://atofortworth.org/make-a-donation/

Donations can also be made through Tarrant County Blue by sending a check to P.O. Box 1659, Fort Worth, Texas 76101.

Shirts with a picture of Randolph also are being sold to raise money for the family. The shirts will be available at a candlelight vigil at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Fort Worth Police Department’s South Patrol Division, at 3501 W. Risinger Road.

Each shirt costs $20, with all proceeds going to the family. Shirts also are available for online orders at backthebluehq.com.

Wednesday night’s vigil is open to the public. General parking will be available at the Vivian J. Lincoln Library, at 8829 McCart Ave., and at Crowley Middle School, at 3800 W. Risinger Road.