Former Fort Bend County Sheriff Milton Wright, who served as a Texas Ranger and witnessed one of the most pivotal moments in history — the assassination of President John F. Kennedy — has passed away, the sheriff’s department has reported. He was 89. ‘The Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office extends our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of former Sheriff Milton Wright, who has passed away,’ the department posted on its Facebook Page early Friday.
Wright was born in Rogers, Texas, and dedicated his life to public service.
He first served his country in the United States Navy before beginning a distinguished career in law enforcement with the Texas Department of Public Safety in 1961.
During his tenure, he served with the Texas Highway Patrol and the Driver License Division before earning promotion to the elite ranks of the Texas Rangers in 1981.
After retiring from the Texas Rangers in 1995, Wright continued his commitment to public safety by serving the people of Fort Bend County as sheriff from 1997 through 2012.
‘His leadership and dedication left a lasting impact on the agency and the community he faithfully served,’ the sheriff’s department said in its Facebook post. ‘Sheriff Wright’s legacy of service, professionalism, and commitment to justice will not be forgotten.’
Wright was a faithful member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Rosenberg, taking part in all its activities.
He also played the organ in a polka band that was very popular among local Czech groups. The band performed a Christmas concert each December to a packed crowd.
Wright was a young state trooper when he was assigned to John F. Kennedy’s motorcade through the streets of Dallas on Nov. 22, 1963.
He was regularly asked to recount the assassination by civic clubs, historical groups and others over the years.
He shared his story with The Herald readers several times over the past half century.
He said his sergeant had ordered him early that fateful morning to go to the Ford Mercury dealership and pick up a car and drive it to Love Field.
“I asked Sgt. Wheeler ‘Why?’ and he said ‘Just do what I told you,’ and I did what he told me.”
Thus, Wright was thrust into a pivotal moment in history.
