Sgt. Raymond Scholwinski remembered as humble, honorable and humourous

HUMBLE, Texas – Bagpipes belted “Amazing Grace” on Thursday to begin the funeral of Harris County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Raymond Scholwinski.

Family, friends and fellow deputies gathered at the First Assembly of God in Humble to remember Scholwinski, who worked for the Sheriff’s Office for decades. He died May 6 after contracting coronavirus and battling the virus for nearly a month.

Scholwinski was remembered as a faithful, humble and honorable man who liked to make people laugh.

Scholwinski’s daughter, Brandi DeLane Scholwinski, said she and her father had an unbreakable bond.

“I love my dad very much, and I was always very proud to walk into any room with Raymond Scholwinski as my father,” Brandi DeLane Scholwinski said. “Dad never gave up on me no matter what.”

One of the deputy’s three sons, Anthony Scholwinski, said he loved his father’s playful spirit and bountiful personality.

“He loved being a dad,” Anthony Scholwinski said. “He wanted to be dad.”

He said medical professionals told the family that they learned so much about the coronavirus from the deputy’s case, and that information was used to help others battling the disease.

Matthew Scholwinski, another of the deputy’s sons, said his father taught him to take pride in whatever he does.

“Dad has left behind a memorable legacy,” Matthew Scholwinski said. “I strive to father his example as a father.”

Brice Scholwinski, the third of the deputy’s sons, said he learned many lessons from his father.

“I will forever cherish my memories with my father,” Brice Scholwinski said. “The last words my dad told me were, ‘I love you, son. Never take life for granted. I want to be around for a long time.’”

The deputy’s commander Capt. Mike Koteras said he was the kind of man who genuinely cared about the community he served.

“Ray is love,” he said. “That love is personified in what he gave. He did not know a stranger.”

Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said the sergeant was a great man who took his job seriously and was endowed with the gift of authenticity.

“While we could never match the sacrifice he made, we can try to emulate his sense of service,” Gonzalez said.

The service concluded outside the church with the rendering of honors, including the final radio call for the fallen deputy as his colleagues, who were wearing masks and observing social distancing, stood at attention alongside his flag-draped coffin.

Folded flags were presented to Raymond Scholwinski’s family before a flyover by the Sheriff’s Office helicopter fleet, a 21-gun salute and the playing of taps.

You can watch a replay of the funeral below.