In observance of Memorial Day, City of Vidor offices, except for the Police and Sanitation Departments, will be closed. The Sanitation Department will run its normal Monday route. Customers are advised to have their cans out by 6:00 a.m. Anyone desiring to make a payment to either the Sanitation Department or the Municipal Court may use the appropriate drop box located in the rear parking lot of City Hall Municipal Building.
By Annie Johnson |
BILOXI, MS (WLOX) - Detective Jeff Courts drove hours from Vidor, Texas to make sure fallen Biloxi police officer, Robert McKeithen, received a proper send off.
"It's always an honor to be there to send a fallen brother off the right way," Courts said.
Courts, who has been playing the bagpipes at police funerals for the past 27 years, says playing for his fellow law enforcement officers is a privilege.
"They never get any easier. It's a hard thing to do. But it's what I do, and I'm happy to do it," he explained.
Even though Detective Courts is honored that he can be a part of making sure the officers get the proper ceremonial treatment, he says the task never gets any easier.
"I've done a lot of them, and it gets tougher and tougher for me. The worst part of any of them... and it kills me... is the last call. It tears me apart every time. I think it affects almost all officers when they call the officer's number and he doesn't answer," Courts said. "That really just brings everything into focus.
Over the years, Courts has played for almost 28 funerals for officers who were killed in the line of duty. A number Courts says is too many.
"I've been doing this job going on 34 years. It brings everything into perspective. It's a dangerous job, and it's lately becoming more and more dangerous," he said.
Throughout WLOX's coverage of the funeral and burial, many viewers pointed out how the bagpipes stood out to them and caused them to get more emotional.
"Bagpipes affect people on a primal level. They're an instrument of war. It's a very mournful sound," he explained.
Detective Courts was unaware his bagpipe playing would play such a crucial role in remembering others. He started playing simply because he wanted to learn.
"From as long as I can remember, I always wanted to learn how to play the pipes. I fell in with another group of guys who was learning to play," he said. "I learned from a book and a cassette tape on how to play the pipes, and that's been 28 years now."
Court was proud he could offer support to Officer McKeithen, who died May 5, 2019 after he was killed while on duty in front of the Biloxi Police Station.
The City Of Vidor would like to extend our deepest gratitude to Ms. Ann McCamnon who volunteered her time and resources to spruce up the planters here at the front entrance of City Hall and they look fantastic!
May 6-10, 2019
Orange County Justice of the Peace Courts 1-4, and the Municipal Courts for the cities of Orange, West Orange, Pinehurst, Bridge City, and Vidor, as well as the District Attorney's Office (hot checks) are encouraging people with Class C misdemeanor warrants for their arrest (traffic warrants, etc.) to "resolve" these warrants during the week of May 6 through May 10, 2019.
DO NOT BE AFRAID TO APPEAR BEFORE THE COURT!! YOU WILL NOT BE ARRESTED FOR CLASS C WARRANTS WHEN YOU APPEAR TO RESOLVE YOUR CASES!!!
Taking care of your warrants will protect you from being arrested while driving, at home, at work, or in front of your children.
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS OPPORTUNITY
During this week, the courts will work with you to resolve your warrants. Fines may be reduced and community service may be offered as an option to help you take care of your cases,
PAY IN PERSON:
Orange Municipal Court — 901 Main Avenue, Orange, Texas
Vidor Municipal Court — 1330 First Street, Vidor, Texas
Bridge City Municipal Court — 110 Rachal Avenue, Bridge City, Texas
Pinehurst Municipal Court — 2497 Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr., Orange, Texas
West Orange Municipal Court — 2700 Western Avenue, West Orange, Texas
Justice of the Peace, Pct. 1 — Orange County Courthouse, 801 Division, Orange, TX
Justice of the Peace, Pct. 2 — 3500 Edgar Brown Dr., Orange, TX
Justice of the Peace, Pct. 3 — 2524 Hwy. 87 South, Orange, TX
Justice of the Peace, Pct. 4 — 190 Camp St., Vidor, TX
District Attorney's Office (HOT CHECKS) — Orange County Courthouse