Update on injured officer

By Chris Edwards
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WOODVILLE – Less than a month after Woodville police officer Troy Costello returned home from the hospital, after being shot during an incident in September, he is reportedly making great progress.

According to Woodville Chief of Police Mike McCulley, Costello continues to improve “day to day while at home,” and can communicate by mouth, and is now able to drive.

McCulley added that Costello even recently helped with a show-and-tell program at a daycare where his child attends.

McCulley said that Costello is “in good spirits and is eager to recover to be able to return back to work.”

The timeline, according to his doctors, who are optimistic, that he will be able to return to work in six to eight weeks.

Costello was shot in the face during an incident on the morning of Sept. 17 in Woodville, in response to a call of a man causing a disturbance. The suspect, Reginald Owens, a 41-year-old Hemphill resident, was later found by multiple lawmen representing multiple agencies after a manhunt that lasted about an hour. He refused to follow commands, began to reach for his weapon and was shot and killed by deputies with the Tyler County Sheriff’s Office.

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Costello subsequently endured multiple surgeries and a hospital stay. When he returned home, he found a community united in support for him and his family, with blue ribbons tied around doors, utility poles and other displays of support made public.

Costello’s wife, Dr. Delynda Costello, made a statement on social media to give thanks for all of the support.

“We have been deeply humbled by the prayers, contributions, meals, and support. We truly cannot thank everyone enough, and really wanted to express our gratitude. It was also touching to see the blue ribbons around town, when we came back home.

I know Troy was deeply touched to see so much love and support for him,” she wrote.

Delynda added that Troy has had his stomach tube removed and he recently passed a swallow test, and has been able to eat on his own.

“I know that he is anxious to get completely healed, so that he can go back to serving the community,” she said.

McCulley said that the support from the citizens of the community has been great, and that Woodville PD has submitted an application to the 100 Club for assistance, which is being reviewed.

“The 100 Club representative advised me that most, if not all, of Officer Costello’s expenses and income adjustments will be taken care of,” McCulley said.