S January 2009
Judge Pat Tinley
700 Main Street
Kerrville, TX 78028
RF: Rusty Hierholzer, Sheriff
Judge Tinley,
It is my sincere pleasure to tell you a story that I hope will be shared with your Community. This story is
to Honor Sheriff Rusty Hierholzer for his dedication not only to his profession, but to your community
and beyond, for his honorable dedication to help people -not only the people in your community but
for people he has never met, nor live in your great state. By his Faith and his unique detective training.
Sheriff Rusty went beyond the call of duty.
This story began on March 1st 1972, as my first husband Bruce Laurence Dunn (known as Larry) was
killed in a horrific Army helicopter crash in the hills of Kerrville, Texas. Yes, this story lay quiet for over
36 years, and was just reopened two months ago.
In November my family and I were in Nacogdoches, Texas celebrating my Mamo's IOOtn Birthday. Whip
we were there an amazing event was unfolding miles away. A local rancher was having scrub brush and
debris removed from his land there in Kerrville. A small portion of the ground ahead of the Cat was
discolored, which stopped the driver of this machinery to investigate (I was told this area was no larger
than a dinner plate}. In his investigation, he found some aircraft debris, coins, melted parts of a watch
face and a gold wedding band with an inscription "Darlin June 14, 1969" Yes, the ring is intact, Sheriff
Rusty was immediately notified, and he set out with a heartfelt desire to seek the owner of this wedding
band. His investigation led him to contact the FAA, a local air base, and placing an article in the San
Antonio newspaper. That article sparked the interest of many people your community to go to a well
known on line family tree listing to help search for the rings owner.
Through this listing our daughter, was contacted by several people in your community to see if she was
in any way related to the owner of this ring. Being very concerned and protective of me -both she and
our son conducted their own investigation coming to the realization -their mom was indeed the wife
and family they were all looking for. I was notified 3 weeks ago that Larry's wedding band had been
found after that horrific explosive fire; and years of natures toils on that hillside. A devastating tragErxY
so many years ago has been turned into a story of renewed Hope and Faith in people. People who made
time to help their neighbors. (This neighbor lives in Utah}
If even one piece of this event was removed, it would not have been complete. It took God's protecting
hands, two men unearthing a location to a tragedy over 36 years ago; Sheriff Rusty's determination and
desire to go above and beyond his call to duty to find the family this ring belonged to; and a Texas
community willing to get involved. I only wish 1 could personally Thank Sheriff Rusty for his dedication
and his sincere desire to pursue the investieation of finding the owner of this precious rind. A sincere
Thank You goes to his secretary Nancy as !know she too had a part in making sure I received the ring
as quickly as possible. I want to also Thank Joe Haynes the rancfier, and your wonderful community fc~r
reaching out, helping to bring some loving closure to a devastating tragedy.
Sincerely,
~~_- ~-- ~ -~, t'
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