Courtesy Photo
Motorcade brings Matthews home from M.D. Anderson Hospital Houston June 16.

Courtesy Photo
Matthews’ (left) legacy of love lives on with son Jace (center) and husband Darian.
 

MABANK–If you just happened to have been driving on Hwy175 June 16, you witnessed an extraordinary event. You saw various law enforcement vehicles traveling from Houston to Mabank. What made this so extraordinary is the honor these fellow law enforcement officers were paying to one of their own. 
 In high school, Stormie Matthews developed an intrigue with true crime stories, causing her to develop a relationship with the Mabank ISD Police. After high school, Matthews attended UT Tyler in pursuit of a criminal law degree. During that time, she became a 911 operator in Gun Barrel City and then moved on to being a dispatcher for the Kaufman County Sheriff’s Office.
Matthews’ interest in being a dispatcher was not just being a part of law enforcement, but to help those who needed help. Matthews’ sister, Saydee West, stated, “She worked very hard to keep her community safe as a dispatcher and a first responder; her job was very dear and high to her making sure that she had a safe community and took care of everybody.” 
West added, “When other people had their doubts or just their struggles, she would just have this type of attitude where it would be keep being positive. You know, I think the community would appreciate that kind of reminder that Stormie gave us.” Kaufman County Sheriff Bryan Beavers said of Matthews, “She was dedicated even when she was fighting for her life.”
June 16, you might have witnessed a moment of respect and honor.  The procession of fire responders brought Stormie Matthews home one last time.  She had valiantly fought and ultimately lost her battle with cancer.  West said her sister’s last words were that she was appreciative of everyone–everyone who made efforts to make her journey easier.  It was really the community around her that made her fight so strongly. Sometimes you get dealt bad cards, but it’s the ones around you that help you continue that fight, and for Matthews, it was her family and a career as a Kaufman County Sheriff’s Office dispatcher. 
 Stormie was honored with several other fallen officers during the First Responders night at the Mesquite Rodeo. Once again, Stormies’ legacy shines.