Gonzalez as late deputy constable killed in accident laid to rest: 'The Harris County community is not the same today'

The family, friends and colleagues of the late Harris County Precinct 7 Deputy Constable Jennifer Chavis gathered at Fountain of Praise Church in Houston on Wednesday (April 13) to pay their final respects nearly two weeks after she lost her life in a fatal vehicular accident, according to Houston-based media outlets. 

According to Houston ABC affiliate KTRK, the funeral for the 32-year-old Chavis consisted of private and public visitation periods, as well as the service itself. Chavis was killed by a suspected drunk driver who rear-ended her patrol unit and caused the vehicle to catch on fire earlier this month. 

"The Harris County community is not the same today," Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez mournfully said on Twitter.

Before the funeral, Jocelyn Fowler, the fallen deputy constable's younger sister, talked about how Chavis had a bright future ahead of her.

"It’s just hard to come to terms with," Fowler said, according to a report from Houston NBC affiliate KPRC, the Houston Daily reported.

Fowler's heart broke at the thought of her four-year-old nephew, Chavis' only son, living without his mother.

Houston CBS affiliate KHOU reported that Chavis was an Army veteran who joined the department in November 2020 and was assigned to its Precinct 7 Toll Road Division.

She held a criminal justice degree from the University of Houston-Downtown and a master's degree from Texas Southern University and was pursuing her doctorate at the time of her passing.

KPRC reported that Chavis is survived by her spouse, her son and an 11-year-old nephew.

After the funeral, Chavis' remains were brought to Liberty where she was interred.

Thirty-six-year-old Adolfo Serrano has been charged in the deputy constable's death.