Funeral today for Harris County deputy killed in head-on crash

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- It was standing room only at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Houston today. Hundreds in law enforcement, family and friends said goodbye to a fallen deputy.

Harris County Deputy Jesse Valdez III, 32, died last week, after his patrol car was hit head on while he was traveling eastbound on East Wallisville Road. The deputy's vehicle was hit by an SUV driven by Kelly Jo Ivey, 29. She is now in jail. The passenger in her vehicle, Casey William Byfield, was arrested Friday on drug possession charges.

The entire ordeal has been tough on the department, which hasn't dealt with something like this in years.

Sheriff Adrian Garcia says, "It pains me to have to be involved in this celebration of life. There's no comfort in it, there's no pleasure. It is trying. It has been beyond difficult. It's the risk when they wake up knowing every single day. But there is no hesitation taking a step forward to uphold the duty they have sworn to do. I think, simply put, we're in it together"

Sheriff Garcia went on to describe Deputy Valdez as, "Courageous, a friend, dedicated to his job and always strived to be the very best deputy he could possibly be".

He also thanked the public for its condolences and Valdez's mother for her sacrifice of her son's life, for what he loved to do.

Deputy Valdez leaves behind one son.