This past weekend, a friend of mine passed away, he was a police officer shot by a drug dealer who didn't want to go back to jail. I ask that you read below and offer a moment of silence for him and his family; he was a hero.
HOUTS, KEITH EDWIN, age 30, born in Birmingham, Alabama and a resident of Tallassee, was delivered into the arms of God on September 30, 2006. He was a member of the Montgomery Police Department for the past two years and served in the Army Reserves with the 926th Engineer Brigade. While on active duty in Kuwait, Houts was recognized for developing a process to make armored convoy vehicles safer. This process remains in use today. Keith had graduated from Pleasant Grove High School in 1994 and his leadership abilities led to a scholarship to Troy University. While attending Troy he majored in criminal justice. He and his wife, Ashley, are members of Frazer United Methodist Church in Montgomery. His grandfathers, James E. Houts, Hershel M. Putman, and his uncle Jimmy Houts preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife Ashley, his parents, Barbara and Eddie Houts of Pleasant Grove, his sister Lori and brother-in-law, William (Bubba) Holsomback and five nieces and nephews, Calista, Patrick, Marissa, Alivia Holsomback and Megan Houts daughter of his cousin, James and Chanda Houts, his grandmothers, Edna Putman and Laura Houts. A]so surviving Keith are his wife's parents, Lorry and Mark Ebeling of Hutchinson, Kansas, Jessica and Chase Ebeling, sister and brother of Ashley Houts. Keith is loved and will be missed by many loving aunts, uncles and cousins. A memorial service at Frazer United Methodist Church, Montgomery, AL is scheduled for Wednesday, October 4th, at 10 am with burial at Oakwood Memorial Gardens (Gardendale) in Birmingham, AL. Family visitation will also be at Frazer United Methodist, Tuesday, October 3rd, from 5 till 8 pm. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to MPD Relief Fund, P. O. Drawer 159, Montgomery, AL 36101. The family deeply appreciates the kindness and devotion of so many friends, family and certainly the unfailing support of the Montgomery Police Department, Police Chief Arthur Baylor, Montgomery Mayor Bobby Bright, Dr.. Thomas W. Rigsby and the entire Critical Care staff of Jackson Hospital.
Published in The Birmingham News on 10/3/2006.
