Sammye Foster Cotton of Wills Point, Texas, passed way Nov. 16 at the age of 43 after a battle with ALS. Cotton was Garland (Texas) Police Department Communications Manager and an APCO member who previously worked for McKinney (Texas) Police Department and the Commerce (Texas) Police Department. She worked as treasurer of the Municipal Emergency Communications District Association and was active in the Texas chapter by serving on the state conference committee for several years.

Cotton was also a member of the National Emergency Number Association and held certifications as an emergency number professional from the center manager certification program.

“Sammye was the consummate 9-1-1 professional, sharing her wisdom, knowledge and passion with those she encountered,” said Texas Chapter President Roderick Jackson. “She will be missed tremendously by her family, friends and colleagues.”

Cotton is survived by her husband, Robert, and two sons Dillan, 15, and Cody, 13. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the ALS Foundation.

For more information, see Cotton’s obituary.