Denny Hatfield

Denny Edward “Ed” Hatfield, 70, of Merkel, passed away at Hendrick Hospice on Wednesday, December 12, 2018.  A graveside service will be held at the Texas State Veterans Cemetery of Abilene on Tuesday, December 18, 2018 at 1:00 p.m.  Under the direction of Piersall Funeral Directors, 733 Butternut Street.

Ed Hatfield was born on October 28, 1948 in Hamlin, Texas to Dewey and Odessa Hatfield.  In June of 1967, Ed joined the United States Marine Corps and served his country in Vietnam.  On his return from his service, he entered the Police Academy and began his career as a police officer in Tupelo, Mississippi.  Ed would relocate back to Abilene and service on the police department here.  He was a member of the very first SWAT Team in Abilene and was the first certified sniper on the Abilene police force…a certification he qualified for by using his own deer rifle.  Ed also served on other law enforcement divisions in Taylor, Nolan and Fisher counties during his career.  Upon his leaving from APD, Ed started his own security company, Abilene Security Patrol, and worked as an HVAC technician in Abilene and as a civilian contractor in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents, Dewey Hatfield and Odessa Hatfield.  He is survived by his children, Jennifer Hinds and husband James of Miles, Texas, David Hatfield of Big Spring and Becca Hatfield of Tye; brothers Jimmy Helm and Jerry Hatfield and sister Judy Daniels and husband Dan; and his grandchildren, Destiny and Dylan Hatfield and Jessica and Jayden Hinds.

Condolences may be offered to the family online at www.pbfuneraldirectors.com .