James "Rick" Trussell

James Richard Trussell, 72 years old, was born on October 27, 1948 in Lampasas, TX to Marvin Cecil Trussell and Lovell Lorene Langford Trussell, and passed away on Friday May 14, 2021 In Austin, Texas.

Rick grew up in Marble Falls, Texas and graduated from Marble Falls High School in 1967. He then went to Nixon Clay Business College in Austin, Texas. He then went into the Air Force from 1968-1972. He was stationed at England Air Force base in Alexandria, Louisiana. He then was stationed in Korea and the Pope Air Force Base. While in the military he worked Fire Rescue. After getting out of the Air Force, Rick got a job at Austin Police Department in 1973. He was appointed as a police cadet on March 12, 1973. He was then commissioned on July 20, 1973. After servicing as a police officer for two years, Rick was promoted to Senior Patrol Officer on July 20, 1975. He was then promoted to sergeant on January 19, 1980 and then promoted to lieutenant on January 19, 1986. During his tenure with the PD, Lieutenant Trussell worked in numerous units, including Motors, Patrol, Theft Detail, Jail, In-Service Training, Vice, Organized Major Crimes, Narcotics, and Internal Affairs. Throughout his 29 ½ years of service, Lieutenant Trussell received twenty-six commendations, including the following awards and decorations:

-Honorable Conduct Citation with one gold star for 20 years

-Safe Driving Ribbon with 1 gold star

-Master Certifications of Appreciation

-Basic Awards

-Texas Safety Association Award of Honor- Safe Driving

- And many more.

Rick retired from the Austin Police Department on July 31, 2002 with 29 ½ years served.

Rick met his wife Candy in July 1973 on a blind date arranged by Candy’s cousin Donna and her then husband to be Harvey, who was Rick’s roommate. Donna and Harvey wanted them to meet because they were both going to be in their wedding. Rick and Candy married on June 1, 1974. They had two children, a daughter, Misty, in 1976 and a son, Brent, in 1979.

Rick in preceded in death by his parents, a sister, and a brother.

Rick is survived by his wife Candy of 47 years, daughter Misty and her husband Jimmy Pratt of Pearland Texas, son Brent and his wife Jamie Trussell of Bandera, Texas, and three grandsons- Austin Pratt, Tyler Pratt, and Brady Trussell, as well as several cousins. The three grandsons were the apple of their PaPa’s eye. Rick enjoyed watching them play baseball, he loved taking them fishing and hunting, and he loved listening to them talk and laugh. Rick was so proud of them.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society.