A Liberty County law enforcement officer is making headlines for all the wrong reasons after a crash involving a John Deere utility vehicle turned fatal. Constable Tammy Bishop of Precinct 1 was indicted on charges of intoxication manslaughter and intoxication assault, this following a deadly incident that claimed the life of a 40-year-old special needs teacher, Jessica Rivera. According to a KPRC 2 report, the crash occurred on May 10 at the intersection of 610 and County Road 133.
Bishop, who turned herself in to the Liberty County Jail, posted a $60,000 bond after the grand jury's decision. Surveillance footage captured the vehicle veering off the road before the fatal impact. It was later revealed that Bishop's blood alcohol concentration was 0.107 — well above the legal limit, according to a report by CW39.
In the midst of this legal turmoil, the family of Jessica Rivera is grappling with loss and a desire for justice. Rivera was not only a dedicated educator at Patterson Elementary school, but also a mother of three whose life was interconnected with that of Constable Bishop's family. As the case garners attention, Rivera’s family spoke out in an interview with KPRC 2 about their heartache and pursuit of accountability.
Details surrounding the circumstances of the crash remain under scrutiny. Authorities have not confirmed if Bishop was on duty at the time of the crash, marking yet another layer to an already complex case. However, what is indisputably clear is the sorrow of those left behind. "We all make mistakes in life, but Tammy gets to bond out and go home, while my baby does not," Millie Longoria, Rivera's mother, told KPRC 2.
Meanwhile, the Liberty County District Attorney's Office has expressed commitment to uphold the principles of justice regardless of the accused's badge. The indictments "make one principle clear: in Liberty County, no badge or title places anyone above the law," stated Jennifer Bergman, Liberty County District Attorney, in a statement obtained by KPRC 2.
