The City of Levelland is without one of their own as Animal Control officer Crystal Goforth lost her life in the line of duty Thursday. A press release from the City of Levelland stated two animal control officers Goforth, 38, and Jon Corder, 41, were involved in two vehicle accident north of Levelland on Highway 385 after receiving a call for service. While taking care of the call, both officers were involved in an automobile accident that claimed the life of Goforth and injured Corder. “We lost Crystal at the scene today,” said Levelland Police Chief Albert Garcia. “We lost a kind, hardworking, animal loving member of our family. This loss leaves a void in our team and in our hearts.” Goforth had worked in the Animal Control Division since 2019. She was married to City of Levelland Wastewater Superintendent, Joshua Goforth. They have a 15-year-old son.
“Crystal was a blessing every day. I have been blessed with the team in the world,” said Levelland Captain Tammie McDonald. McDonald regularly finds opportunities to brag on her animal control and animal shelter staff. Corder was transported from the scene via AeroCare to Lubbock UMC where is currently in the intensive care unit. Officials have not released the status of Corder’s injuries. “We have members of our department standing by at the hospital with Jon’s family, ready to help in any way,” said Chief Garcia. “We could use some prayer warriors now.” Coder has worked in the animal control department since March 2021. Along with Goforth, both officers have been instrumental in increasing the visibility and marketability of shelter animals. “This isn’t an easy job, but Jon has a heart for this type of work,” said Captain McDonald. The release states the events from Thursday have left the animal control and shelter staff shorthanded.
Chief Garcia and Hockley County Sheriff Ray Scifres held a press conference Friday to discuss the events that took place Thursday.
Chief Garcia opened the conference up explaining that the incident is an on-going investigation at this current time.
Sheriff Scifres took over and gave a time line of the events.
The initial call that came in was for a deceased animal in the road way roughly at 9:15 a.m.
The location was unspecified but it was known that the large dog was located on N Highway 385.
After searching, the ACO officers located the deceased animal on the 1800 block of Highway 385 which is roughly a mile to a mile and a half outside of city limits according to Sheriff Scifres.
At 10:09 a.m., dispatch received a phone call of a major crash with possibly one deceased on scene as it was a two-vehicle accident.
ACO officers were working and were parked northbound on the improved shoulder of Highway 385.
A pickup truck drifted into the shoulder and collided with the ACO vehicle.
ACO Goforth, was pronounced dead on the scene.
ACO Corder was transported to UMC in Lubbock for severe injuries by medical helicopter. The driver of the second vehicle was transported to Covenant Hospital in Levelland.
The Texas Department of Safety Highway Patrol was contacted and has taken over the investigation which is normal since the wreck occurred outside city limits as well as an agency vehicle being involved which causes the investigation to default to DPS, according to Scifres. “They are conducting any investigating into causation,” explained Sheriff Scifres. “This includes where the vehicles were when it occurred, how it occurred and what the outcome of this moving forward.” With the nature of some of the injuries, multiple agencies on scene assisted with emergency medical treatment with those that were involved.
Chief Garcia returned to the podium after Sheriff Scifres finished breaking down the time line.
The chief offered the family of Goforth his best wishes and prayers as they are dealing with the difficult times.
Additionally, Chief Garcia extended his prayers and best wishes to all parties involved that were injured as well as all the families who have been affected by Thursday’s wreck. If compelled to do so, Chief Garcia cautions individuals who are looking to offer donations or seek out funding opportunities to assist the Goforth family and Corder family. To donate, the “Blue and You” Foundation which is a 501(c)(3) that has been set up to assist with community out reach for the department has set up an account to accept monetary donation for both families of Goforth and Corder. In order to donate, go to any Prosperity Bank location in the area and reference the “Blue and You” organization.