Timothy Matthew Hatch

Timothy Matthew Hatch, age 42, of Rusk, TX passed away on December 2, 2022. Tim was born February 23, 1980 in Corpus Christi, TX to Randy and Sue Hatch. Tim was beloved by his family and will be greatly missed.

A celebration of life honoring Tim is scheduled for 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, December 7, 2022 at the First Baptist Church in Rusk, TX with Dr. John LaNoue and Reverend Jason Hoffman officiating. Visitation will begin at 9:00 am. Burial will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery.

Tim was preceded in death by his father Randy Hatch; grandparents JM and Mary Boone of Rusk, TX and Vernon and Gladys Hatch of Silsbee, TX. Tim is survived by his mother, Sue Hatch; wife, Leslie Hatch; sons, Rylan and Hudson; and daughter, Bailey Hatch, of Rusk, TX; brother, Andrew; sister-in-law, Sara; and nephews, Jonathan and Jacob Hatch, of McKinney, TX. Also by uncle, Jeffrey Paul Boone, of Boerne, TX; Ella and Hunter Grace, of Bullard, TX.

Tim was a dedicated law enforcement professional with a career spanning over two decades. His law enforcement journey began at the age of 19 with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office. Tim would later join the Texas Department of Public Safety where he served in the Highway Patrol, Governors Protection Detail, Criminal Investigations Division, and as a Texas Ranger. Like his father, Tim was a true law enforcement professional who believed in standing up for the weak, seeking justice through truth, and leading by example. Throughout his career, Tim positively impacted the lives of many including victims of crime, criminals, and law enforcement officers across Texas. Tim was a faithful and committed servant of the Lord who adored his family.

To the members of Tim’s law enforcement family he would say, “God needs gap people.” The brave men and women who serve our communities often do so while battling an internal war and their own world of personal chaos. However, the turmoil they experience does not define their person. Unfortunately, the mind often replays what the heart can’t delete. Cops are those individuals others look to solve problems and protect persons in need. Weakness is not seen as an option and therefore, they will often refuse to acknowledge their own internal struggles. To close your eyes does not ease another’s pain. Post-traumatic stress disorder for those in law enforcement is a very real phenomena – one that necessitates constant attention and requires those within this community to be ready to stand in the gap when one of their own goes down. Tim lived by example and his legacy should be hallmarked by action that supports others in need.

The family would like to express a special thanks to Brian Downs, Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, and Texas Ranger Company “B” for their support during a difficult time.

Pallbearers will include Lieutenant Nic Castle, Jeff Carroll, Sheriff Brent Dixon, Brian Downs, Special Agent Steven Hodge, and Detective Logan Smith. Honorary pallbearers will be Seth Collins, Ryan Mabry, Zach Powers, Josh Woodruff, Steven Dyess, and Josh Jenkins.

Because of Tim’s lifetime of service to the Lord and in law enforcement we ask in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to First Baptist Church Rusk, Prison Ministry Bible Fund, P.O. Box 258, Rusk, Texas 75785 or to the law enforcement peer support hotline Copline, www.copline.org.