Senior Deputy Jessica Laura Hollis, age 35 of Austin, Texas passed away on Thursday, September 18, 2014 in the line of duty.

Jessica grew up in San Antonio, Texas, and graduated from Churchill High School in 1997 where she was a varsity cheerleader. She attended Texas A&M at Corpus Christi and Southwest Texas State University studying Marine Biology.

Jessica met her future husband, Ricky Hollis, while they were serving as EMTs in San Antonio. They then served together as Paramedics for Calhoun County for 5 years. The couple moved to Austin after being accepted into the Austin Police Academy, and had the distinction of being the 2nd married couple ever to graduate from the academy. Jessica served with the Austin Police Department and the Travis County Parks Department, before being recruited by the Travis County Sheriff's Department.

Jessica served Travis County in the Sheriff's Department for the last seven years, earning the distinction as Senior Deputy Sheriff. Jessica served as a Patrol Officer, Field Training Officer and Vice Officer. She loved diving and worked hard to become a member of the prestigious Travis County Dive Team. She had just become a Certified Master Scuba Diver and received the Unit Citation Award for her work with the Dive Team. Jessica and son Mason, shared their love of diving; and, they were very proud of Mason's recent Dive Certification. In March 2010, the American Legion nominated Jessica as Officer of the Year. Her Lieutenant stated, "Jessica was a shining star and would advance far with Travis County". Although slight in size, she was fearless and always ready to respond when duty called. Her strong desire to serve was evident in all she did, and she died bravely serving others. She was loved, respected, and admired by family, friends, and peers.

Jessica loved spending time with Mason. This summer they traveled to Georgia to join her Hall family for a week at the lake. After the week, she and Mason drove back to Texas; but, stopped for several days exploring New Orleans together. She was very sentimental about her family heritage, saving and collecting family treasures, such as her Dad's Bible, the 1951 Pontiac Chieftain restored by her family, and her late Grandmother's piano. She had hoped Mason would learn to play the piano, but football and diving won out.

She is survived by Ricky, her husband of 12 years, their 12 year old son Mason, her father Rick Hall and wife Dale Freeman, mother Vicki Wright, stepfather Bill Wright, and siblings Crystal Fulfer and husband Weston, Katherine Lively and husband Billy, Taylor Hall and wife Bianca, Wade Wright, and Grandmother Jessie Hall.

The Hall family was overwhelmed by the amazing support of the Travis County Sheriff's Department and the Austin Police Department during the heart wrenching search and recovery, and preparation for Jessica's funeral in Austin. Multiple agencies and over 80 deputies and officers, including her own Dive Team searched thru extremely dangerous conditions. When the search had to be suspended Thursday night due to darkness and thunder storms, Travis County Sheriff Greg Hamilton came to the house and declared, "We will bring Jessica home!" The family's heartfelt thanks goes out to all the brave people that diligently searched long hours for Jessica.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to a special fund which has been set up for Mason's future. Checks may be made payable to: "Edward Jones For Mason Hollis" and mailed to Edward Jones, 514 N. Main Street, Cedartown, Georgia.

A celebration of life for Jessica will be conducted on Saturday, September 27, 2014 at five o'clock in the afternoon in the chapel of the Gammage Funeral Home with Dr. Ed Wadsworth and Chief of Police Jamie Newsome officiating.

The family of Jessica will receive family and friends on Saturday, September 27, 2014 from four o'clock in the afternoon until five o'clock in the afternoon at the Gammage Funeral Home.

Special thanks to all our family and friends who overwhelmed us with love and support during this most difficult time.