Trooper Bill Davidson’s widow, siblings, children and grandchildren at the dedication of the new DPS patrol vessel. -Photo by Bret Williams

On Wednesday, April 11, a dedication ceremony was held on the Port O’Connor School grounds for the Department of Public Safety’s new patrol vessel, “Bill Davidson”. The boat is the third of six patrol vessels being commissioned across the state – a fleet of “shallow water interceptors” – to fight drug dealers and human smugglers.
Trooper Bill Davidson was fatally shot 20 years ago during a traffic stop in Jackson County. Since he loved to fish the Port O’Connor waters, it is most fitting that his name-sake be commissioned here.

His family, DPS officials and Troopers, local officials, and Port O’Connor School students gathered to view the new boat and to honor Trooper Davidson.
The 34-foot black and white vessel is equipped with armored glass and hull and a 900-horsepower engine. With automatic weapons and night vision, the six man crew is fully capable of taking on any threats they may encounter as they patrol the Intracoastal Waterway between Port O’Connor and Ingleside.