TYLER, Texas — Hundreds of family, friends and fellow law enforcement officers gathered at Green Acres Baptist Church in Tyler Friday morning to honor fallen Smith County Deputy Lorenzo Bustos.
Bustos, 29, was killed in the line of duty overnight July 29 when a suspected drunk driver struck the deputy during a traffic stop. He was on his last day of training with the Smith County Sheriff's Office when the wreck happened.
In an emotional eulogy to her husband, Gloria Bustos said he was a loving father to the young children.
"Most importantly he was a good husband, he was my best friend, my everything. We love you so much and don’t worry I got it from here," she said.
They loved dancing together and their favorite song to dance to was "Stand By Me."
"He was trying to make the world a better place one bad guy at a time. Lorenzo left us too soon and we don't know why. All we can do is trust in God." she said. "I love you honey and until we meet again."
Rev. Pat Alvey is delivering a message and prayer for the funeral attendee, while Ricky Len Williams is serving as the Spanish interpreter.
Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith said in his speech that as a law enforcement family, he and Bustos' fellow officers are grieving as well. Smith noted the sacrifices that officers and deputies make constantly to protect and serve.
"Law enforcement is a duty we have been called to do by a higher being," Smith said.
He also said a prayer asking God to protect the law enforcement officers who serve their communities daily.
After the conclusion of the indoor service, there was a 21-gun salute and TAPS, folding of the American flag, presentation of the flag, final call and prayer.
A motorcade will be traveling back to the funeral home for the procession.
The procession began at Green Acres Baptist and turn left onto Troup Highway at South Beckham Ave and then right onto South Broadway Ave. The path then continued to Front Street, where it moved left and traveled outside of the city limits, according to the Tyler Police Department announcement.
Procession participants eventually reached Memorial Park Cemetery on Highway 64 West.
Before coming to Smith County, Bustos worked at the Henderson Police Department and the Rusk County Sheriff's Office.
He began his law enforcement career in 2012 at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice as a corrections officer and was promoted to Sergeant in 2016.
He graduated from Chapel Hill High School in 2011. According to his obituary, Bustos was known as the "class clown who consistently had a bright smile and could make everyone laugh."
He married his high school sweetheart Gloria and they have three children together (ages 8, 5 and 4).
Bustos was also a loyal member of Friendly Baptist Church in Tyler. The Friendly Baptist praise team performed three songs throughout the service.
"He had a passion for helping others and advocated doing the right thing, no matter what. Lorenzo's family will remember him for his bigger than life personality, sense of humor, deep family commitment, and continual love," the obituary reads. "His brothers and sisters in blue will remember his moral standards, high ethics, investigative knowledge, unmatched expertise, and his dedication to serving others."
Fallen Smith County Deputy Bustos honored at celebration of life ceremony
