Family, friends, fellow law enforcement officers and state leaders gathered Wednesday at Childress High School to honor the life and service of Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Sergio Romero, who was killed in the line of duty last week.
Romero, 27, is survived by his wife and two young sons, who were surrounded by loved ones as they said their final goodbyes during the funeral service.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, Trooper Romero was attempting to conduct a traffic stop along U.S. Highway 287 near Childress at approximately 4 p.m. on June 17 when a truck-tractor semi-trailer pulled out in front of his patrol vehicle. His patrol unit collided with the truck, and Romero was pronounced dead at the scene. The crash remains under investigation.
The funeral was attended by numerous state officials and law enforcement leaders, including Texas State Senator Charles Perry, Public Safety Commission Chairman Steven P. Mach, Commissioners Nelda Luce Blair, Larry B. Long and Dan Hord III, DPS Colonel Freeman F. Martin, Lt. Colonel Walt Goodson, Lt. Colonel Jason Taylor, Texas Highway Patrol Chief Bryan Rippee and other DPS leaders from across the state.
“In his short life, Trooper Romero proved to be a true lawman who proudly wore the badge and the Texas tan,” said DPS Colonel Martin. “There is no doubt that he cared about the people of his community, and we will ensure that everyone remembers his legacy and the sacrifice he made in service of the state he loved. I ask that you please continue to keep his wife, two sons, friends and colleagues in your prayers as they navigate this unimaginable loss.”
Romero joined the Texas Department of Public Safety after graduating with Recruit Class B-2025 in September 2025 and was assigned to Childress. Before joining DPS, he served with the Memphis Police Department and later the Hall County Sheriff's Office.
