Waylon Jasper Bullard (1946-2023)

Waylon Jasper Bullard was born December 26, 1946, to Jasper Euel Bullard and wife Mildred in Wheeler, Texas. He is survived by Karla, his wife of 52 years and son, Marshall and wife Sue, of Pittsburgh, PA, sisters Wynona Aldridge of Paris and Evelyn Winkleblack and husband Ladd of Missouri. Waylon was preceded in death by his parents, sister Delores Bullard, and daughter Heather Kirsten Bullard. 

Waylon accepted Christ as his Savior and was Baptized at 10 years of age. 

On Wednesday, November 8, 2023, Waylon passed away in San Antonio, Texas. 

Waylon served in the US Army from 1965 -1968. He was assigned to the US Army Signal Corps, where he handled classified teletype and data communications. He was honorably discharged in 1968. 

Waylon joined the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) in 1969. After graduating from the DPS academy, he served as a Highway Patrolman from 1969 until 1975, when he was promoted to Sergeant/Investigator in the DPS Narcotic Service. He served in that capacity from 1975 until 1985 in Garland, Texas. 

In 1986 Waylon was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and was assigned to the Harlingen Office until 1991.Waylon was promoted to Captain in 1991 and assigned to the San Antonio District Office until he retired in 1998. 

From May of 1998 until June 1999, Waylon served as Chief of Police of the Ingleside City Police Department. 

Waylon and Karla moved to Del Rio in 2002. Waylon and Karla were avid bass fishers and both enjoyed fishing competitively. They each had their own 22’ Bullet Bass Boats.  

After moving to Del Rio, Waylon worked as a Court Security Officer for AKAL Security at the Federal Courthouse in Del Rio, along with his colleagues and members of the US Marshalls Service. Waylon assisted in overseeing the safety of three Federal Judges, their offices and courtrooms and in maintaining the security of the building and grounds. 

Waylon took the job as Chief of Police of Del Rio in January of 2005 and served until December 2009. 

In February of 2010, Waylon accepted the position as the Val Verde County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy, alongside his longtime friend and colleague, William “Bill” Hayes, also a DPS retiree. 

In 2014, Waylon was convinced to return to the position of Chief of Police of Del Rio. 

In May of 2018, Waylon returned to his post as Chief Deputy with the Val Verde Sheriff’s Department, where he remained until his untimely death. 

Waylon served the Great State of Texas 53 years and seven months. Waylon served 30 years with the Texas Department of Public Safety, 8 years with the City of Del Rio and 10 years, 3 months with the Val Verde Sheriff’s Office. 

Waylon held a Bachelor of Science Degree from Abilene Christian University.  He was a 1984 Graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy.  He held a Texas Master Peace Officer Certificate from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Education, was a Graduate of Northwestern University Traffic Institute, the Drug Enforcement Unit Commanders Academy and the State of Texas Management Development Center, 

LAST BUT NOT LEAST: 

Waylon was shot in the line of duty while conducting a Narcotic Investigation in the Garland area and received an award for Supervisor of The Year.