Community rallies around Tovar
Local Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Officer Juan Tovar was shot Thursday while pursuing the suspect of Thursday’s mass shooting in Bryan earlier that day and, according to the most recent update from the DPS, remains in serious but stable condition at St. Joseph Health Hospital.
Hundreds of community members flocked to the Madison County Courthouse in Madisonville Sunday to show support for Tovar and other members of law enforcement who reacted to the shooting.
Local law enforcement members offered statements of support for Tovar over the weekend in light of the incident.
“Even though he is highway patrol, listening to my officers talk (about Tovar), even before this incident happened, when he was on duty he was always there to backup police officers,” said Madisonville P.D. Chief Herbert Gilbert. “That is exactly what he was doing (Thursday) when he was shot: assisting and backing up other agencies.”
Sunday’s vigil was emceed by one of the event’s organizers, Karina Munoz. Madison County Sheriff Bobby Adams also spoke at the event while Gilbert led a moment of silent reflection. David Medina of Cornerstone Baptist Church led the group in an opening prayer while J.D. George, a Deacon at Madisonville Christian Fellowship, closed the vigil with a prayer.
“(Trooper Tovar) and his family are really good friends of mine,” said Munoz. “When he first started in the county, there was just an immediate connection with our families. They didn’t have any family in the area so they would always come to our functions.
“I think the community needed (the vigil) with all that’s going around and to encourage the other officers and first responders to know they are not alone.”
Munoz helped organize the event with the religious and law enforcement leaders mentioned as well as Rebecca Garcia.
“It was really last minute,” said Munoz. “I think it says a lot about the community. Madisonville is a really small town and I believe that, when something comes up, everyone steps up and the outcome has been great.
“Rosa feels really over whelmed right now, but it is a good overwhelmed. The community has been so supportive overall. I love it here because we are so community based.”
Tovar, 27, has been with the Texas Department of Safety since 2017. He works for the Texas Highway Patrol in Madisonville and is stationed in Madison County.
The suspect of the mass shooting, 27-year-old Larry Bollin, is accused of opening fire at Kent Moore Cabinets off Stone City Drive in Bryan. He was an employee of the establishment. The shooting, which occurred Thursday afternoon, killed one and wounded several others. The deceased victim is 40-year-old Timothy Smith of Bryan, who also worked at the establishment.
In addition to a murder charge, Bollin is facing charges including five counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He faces a charge for shooting and injuring Tovar in Grimes County while he was fleeing the scene.
A Brazos County judge set Bollin’s total bond at a combined $2.2 million, which includes $1.2 million for Smith’s murder and $1 million for the attempted murder of Tovar.
There have been a number of efforts from individuals and businesses in the community, including McKenzie’s Barbeque, who will donate a percentage of sales to Tovar’s family on Friday orders made between 10:30 a.m. and 8 p.m.
For the month of April, Wischnewsky Dodge will donate $50 to Tovar’s family for every car sold.
ReLEntless Defender Apparel is partnering with Texas DPSOA in designing t-shirts with the DPS logo and ‘#TovarStrong’. 100 percent of the proceeds will be donated to the DPS Officers Association, who have pledged to forward all proceeds to Tovar’s family.
The Leona General Store, as well as the Pecan Grove Cafe, are also collecting donations for the family.
Adam and Lauren Walls of Midway have been selling rubber wristbands supporting Tovar for $5. The couple has already sold 900 wristbands and have ordered 1,000 more. All proceeds go to the family.
TX Blue Line Network is also running a Facebook fundraiser for Tovar, visit TXBLUELINE.com to donate.
