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Willacy County honors deputies, first responders after Sept. 23 bee‑attack rescues
Summary
The Willacy County Commissioners Court recognized deputies and first responders for life‑saving actions during a Sept. 23 bee swarm that trapped two people at an RV; deputies and chiefs sustained stings during the rescue and the county presented certificates and life‑saving awards.
Willacy County commissioners on Oct. 23 recognized deputies and local first responders for their response to a Sept. 23, 2025 bee‑attack at an RV on Emma Ross Road that left two residents in need of emergency care.
The sheriff briefed the court that Deputy Marcelino Flores Jr. arrived first, secured the RV to limit further bee entry and radioed for additional assistance. Several deputies and chiefs — listed by the sheriff as Deputy Marcelino Flores Jr., Deputy Gustavo Prieto, Corporal Sergio Barrera, Chief Oscar Gutierrez, Deputy David Lopez, and Chief Administrative Deputy Jose Rivera — worked together with EMS and fire personnel to extract two victims and transport them to waiting ambulances. The sheriff reported some responders sustained multiple bee stings and that one deputy was transported to a hospital for observation.
"I am pleased to announce that both of the victims made a full recovery," the sheriff said, and the court presented certificates and life‑saving awards to the responding personnel.
Why it matters: the court used the recognition to highlight interagency coordination and the risks first responders accept during emergency rescues. Commissioners thanked the sheriff and the department and asked that awarded personnel be recognized formally in court minutes.
Provenance: sheriff's incident summary and award announcements were made during the court's line item for recognizing the sheriff's office and first responders.
