Deputy Melissa Pollard

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End of Watch: April 9, 2025

With broken hearts and deep reverence, we remember and honor the life of Deputy Melissa Pollard, who passed away on April 9, 2025, while on duty in Wood County, Texas.

Born on March 14, 1978 in Paris, Texas, to Leonard Keith Pollard and Pamela (Vickers) Pollard, Melissa dedicated more than two decades to protecting and serving her community with unwavering courage and compassion. She began her law enforcement career in 2003 in Collin County, where she served until 2013. From there, she continued her service in Fannin County until 2016, before joining the Wood County Sheriff’s Office, where she has been a valued member of the department ever since.

Over the course of her 22-year career, Deputy Pollard earned numerous certifications, including her Advanced Peace Officer License, Field Training Officer, Instructor, Training Coordinator, School Based Law Enforcement Officer Certification, and Jailers License. She played a vital role in training and mentoring officers and served her department and community with honor, skill, and compassion.

Melissa’s dedication extended beyond law enforcement. She was an active supporter of Project Life Saver, a program assisting individuals with cognitive disorders, and was heavily involved in the SPCA, tirelessly advocating for the welfare of animals.

In recognition of her dedication and sacrifice, Deputy Pollard was awarded the Police Cross.

Melissa truly knew that it was more blessed to give than to receive. Her generosity, love, and kindness knew no bounds. She was not only generous in life, but also in death as an organ donor. Melissa had a fierce love as a Momma and a Mimi. She had deep and passionate love for them that was driven by her strength, determination, and unwavering commitment. It is a love that was not timid or hesitant, but bold and protective with a willingness to fight for who and what she loved. This same love was extended to her two Great Danes, Apollo and Nova. She enjoyed fishing, tending her garden, and sitting back around a firepit with a whiskey and coke. She lived life to the fullest and was always there at a moments notice for her friends and family. Her absence leaves a deep void in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.

She will be forever remembered for her bravery, her heart, and her boundless generosity. May her legacy live on in the lives she touched, and may we never forget the depth of her dedication.

Melissa is preceded in death by her parents, Leonard and Pamela Pollard.

Left to cherish her memory is her daughter, Sydney Locke and husband Curtis, along with their children: Cayden, Evelynn, and Khai; two sisters, Kelee and husband John Tarno, and Angela and husband Josh Fein; partner, Michael Cotton and his grandson Easton; nieces, Ashlynn, Marissa, Joisalyn, and Shayla; and nephews, Haegan, Keithan, David, Logan and his wife, Reagan.

The family kindly requests guests to dress in business casual attire and to wear yellow, Melissa’s favorite color, in her honor.

Funeral services for Deputy Melissa Pollard will be held at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, April 16, 2025 at Green Acres Baptist Church (1607 Troup Hwy, Tyler, TX 75701).

In addition to the funeral services on Wednesday, there will be a Candlelight Vigil on Monday, April 14, 2025 at the Wood County Justice Center at 8:00 PM.