End of watch for two late county lawmen was one of the most
poignant highlights of the 100 Club of Comal County’s annual dinner, attended
by hundreds Tuesday night at the New Braunfels Civic/Convention Center.
Criminal District Attorney Jennifer Tharp paid homage to
both legends whose long-time county service was celebrated — former Sheriff Bob
Holder and Precinct 4 Constable Ben Scroggin — in tributes recalling their
lives and legacies.
“He is the quintessential Texas lawman, who stands as tall
as Randolph Scott with the easy confidence of a Glenn Ford and speaks with John
Wayne’s booming voice,” recited Tharp from a Herald-Zeitung story that ran the
day after Holder’s death on Sept. 16, 2021. “He is the man who wears the white
hat and is responsible for protecting his neighbors and maintaining law and
order — under often extraordinary circumstances.”
Both remembrances of Holder, who served as sheriff from 1977
to his retirement in December, 2016, and Scroggin, who died Dec. 17, 2020 while
in his fifth four-term as constable, kicked off the dinner for the 100 Club,
which was founded following the death of a Texas Department of Public Safety
trooper in 2001.
Since then, the nonprofit raises and distributes funds
benefiting families of first responders — especially law enforcement officers,
firefighters, medical emergency services responders and jailers who fall in the
line of duty.
This week’s Good Friday/Founders Day fundraiser at
participating McDonald’s restaurant locations throughout the county raises
proceeds for the 100 Club, which presents benefits to families immediately
after losses of their first responders.
The 100 Club annually presents $2,000 college scholarships
to their children, which this year included Kyleigh Olson of New Braunfels High
School and Travis Zipp and Ethan Peltier of Canyon High School.
The 100 Club of Comal County awards a $2000 scholarship
annually to children of First Responders in Comal County. At the Annual Dinner on April 12th, the
recipients were recognized Eric Couch - 100 Club President, Travis Zipp -
Canyon High School, Senator Donna Campbell, Kyleigh Olson - New Braunfels High
School, Ethan Peltier - Canyon High School and Sherman Krause - Comal County
Judge.
State Sen. Donna Campbell gave the invocation and Comal
County Judge Sherman Krause led the more than 200 attending in pledges of
allegiance to the United States and Texas flags. Canyon Lake Fire & EMS
dispatcher Angela Hemphill was honored for her performance during the past
year, and former U.S. Army Capt. Chad Fleming (retired) shined as special guest
speaker.
Between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Friday, portions of proceeds from
McDonald’s locations in Comal County will be donated to the 100 Club, which
provides immediate cash disbursements to families whose loved ones’ deaths
occur on holidays or Sundays, and pays premiums for life insurance policies
benefiting families of Comal County first responders and support staffers.
Since 2008, Central Texas McDonald’s have raised $581,361
for local 100 Club chapters.
“We have raised several thousand dollars in recent years and
it always seems to increase with each year,” Publicity Chair Belinda Frisk
said. “The real blessing has been the interaction with McDonald customers not
to mention the company’s continued support throughout the years.”
