HR 411

HR411 192230-3 By Representatives Clarke, Wilcox, Gaston, Drummond, Williams (JW), Sessions, Davis, Pringle, Bracy and Buskey RFD: First Read: 15-MAR-18 192230-3:n:03/14/2018:JEC/jec LSA2018-1036R2 MOURNING THE LOSS AND CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF OFFICER JUSTIN TAYLOR BILLA. WHEREAS, Officer Justin Taylor, a native of Houma, Louisiana, and resident of Mobile, Alabama, died in the line of duty on February 20, 2018, at only 27 years of age; and WHEREAS, an esteemed graduate of H.L. Bourgeois High School and the Mobile Police Academy, Justin Taylor Billa fulfilled his lifelong dream of becoming a law enforcement officer when he joined the Mobile Police Department, where he was assigned to the Third Precinct; not long into his service in June 2016, he earned the Mobile Police Department's Officer of the Month Award; and WHEREAS, he married his beloved childhood sweetheart, Erin Elizabeth, and their union was blessed with a son, Taylor Lincoln Billa; Officer Billa was a devoted husband, father, son, brother, and friend; he and his wife would exchange heartfelt 'I love yous,' daily before he left for work; and WHEREAS, Officer Billa was a faithful and dedicated member of Dayspring Baptist Church; he was a Mixed Martial Arts fighter, and he enjoyed duck hunting, fishing, cooking, and spending quality time with his family and friends; he loved Cajun food and Louisiana heritage and collected police patches; and WHEREAS, Officer Billa truly cared about others and strove to make a difference through his police work; he believed in helping others and affecting positive change and transformation in individuals' lives; to him, jail was not necessarily the first answer or the absolute solution to society's problems; his great attention to detail and unwavering commitment to excellence in providing a professional level of law enforcement were invaluable assets to the Mobile Police Department; and WHEREAS, Officer Justin Taylor Billa served the City of Mobile with dedication, exemplary service, loyalty, courage, valor, dignity, and honor; he made the ultimate sacrifice, which shall not be forgotten; now therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA, That while grieving the death of Justin Taylor Billa, we are extremely grateful for his remarkable life, and we offer this resolution in highest tribute to his inspiring legacy, as well as with heartfelt sympathy to his family and friends.