WISE COUNTY, Texas — Emotions caught Wise County Sheriff Lane Akin a little off guard while talking about Deputy Lex Love. The 26-year-old did not survive a single-vehicle crash while responding to another fatal wreck.
During an interview Thursday Sheriff Akin paused, took a deep breath, sighed, and then described the atmosphere at the hospital where family, friends, and coworkers gathered after learning about the tragic accident.
“There was a lot of hugging last night and a lot of talking,” Sheriff Akin said, "Tell them how much I appreciate them and that we will be better because of Lex Love.”
While responding to a fatal crash Wednesday night Deputy Love crashed his police car. Love tried to make a sharp curve on County Road 4421 but struck concrete barriers, the department said.
Sheriff Akin is waiting on official findings from state investigators.
“He was going too fast,” Sheriff Lane Akin said, “But he was going too fast because he wanted to help somebody and to lose somebody like that. I mean, it just really tugs at your heart. “
Akin’s heart is broken, because he helped kickstart Love’s career at age 18 as a jailer. Akin describes Love as the perfect employee for others to model themselves after.
Love worked his way up to supervisor, before wanting to do more.
As his mentor, Akin encouraged Love to join the police academy especially after he spent so many hours working in the jail and doing an exemplary job.
Love earned the support of the Decatur Police Department to enter the police academy where he met Officer Kellie Oehmler with the Justin Police Department
“I went to the academy with him back in 2022,” Oehmler said. “He was referred to as Big Love because he was the light in everybody's room.”
Officer Oehmler gave hugs at Love’s Memorial SUV on display outside the sheriff’s office. She is not surprised about how many people, civilians, and law enforcement are grieving his death. She said that’s because people who didn't know Deputy Love more than likely heard about him because of his size and his loving personality.
“I would not be surprised if people outside of freaking America were talking about Lex,” said Officer Oehmler. “I mean Lex was a great man. He really was. He will be remembered. He should be in historic books. He was that kind of guy.”
Coworkers, friends, and even strangers left flowers. Some officers said prayers and others left condolence messages in a memorial book for his family.
Deputy Love leaves behind a wife and two young children, who Sheriff Akin stressed is their biggest concern now. Akin is working on setting up an account at a local bank for well-wishers to make donations with 100% of the donations going straight to Love’s family.
“We are concerned about the family because she was a stay-at-home mom, those precious children,” said Sheriff Akin, “So anything we can do to help that family.”
Akin is working with Love’s family on funeral services and more importantly to make sure the deputy affectionately known as BIG LOVE is never forgotten.
“He's a lovable kid,” said Sheriff Lane Akin, “That's a perfect name.”
Watch the full interview with Sheriff Akin below