Dreamland Cemetery

Monty Dale Platt died Tuesday after being bitten by a feral cat two weeks ago while responding to a call on campus. He was 47.Platt, a Canyon native who had served with the WT’s UPD since 1996, suffered complications after a severe reaction to a medicine prescribed to prevent infections from the bite, according to a statement from the department posted on its Facebook page.“We’re feeling the loss very heavily,” UPD Sgt. Jack Hildebrand said. “He was a mentor to all of the younger officers. There will be a gap in the department that we struggle to fill for some time.”Hildebrand declined to give any information past the online statement.According to the statement, Platt was responding to a call on campus two weeks ago when he was bitten by the feral cat. Platt reported not feeling well last Thursday and was taken to an urgent care center because of the reaction to the medication.Platt was admitted to a local ICU later that day and on Friday was transferred to the Burn Unit at University Medical Center in Lubbock with severe injuries.Platt was placed on a ventilator and treated for his wounds, according to UPD, but his kidneys shut down Tuesday night, causing a drop in blood pressure and his death.“Campus Law Enforcement lost a great officer in Corporal Monty D. Platt,” the statement reads. “All of us at the University Police Department extend our prayers to the family during this difficult time.”Platt received a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from then-West Texas State University, according to an obituary submitted to the Amarillo Globe-News.Platt “loved hiscareerandwasdedicatedtotheserviceofothers,” according to the obituary.Platt married his wife of 14 years, RoseAnne Rivera, on Aug. 24, 2002, and the two had a son together, Thomas Joseph Platt.Vigil will be at 6 p.m. today in Brooks Chapel with Deacon Gabe Rivas officiating. Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday in St. Ann’s Catholic Church with Father Robert A. Busch, Ph.D, as celebrant. Burial will be in Dreamland Cemetery. Arrangements are by Brooks Funeral Directors of Canyon. (Amarillo.com)

Monty D. PlattCpt. Monty D. PlattWTAMU mourns loss of police officerBack to GalleryCANYON — It is with a heavy heart and great sorrow that the University Police Department at West Texas A&M University announces the loss of an officer. Cpl. Monty D. Platt passed away Tuesday, Aug. 8, at the University Medical Center (UMC) in Lubbock. Platt’s death was a result of medical complications from being bitten by a feral cat while on duty. He had served with the University Police Department since 1996.Platt was bitten by a feral cat two weeks ago while responding to a call on campus. On Thursday, Aug. 3, he was not feeling well and was taken to an urgent care center with a severe reaction to medication prescribed to prevent infections from the cat bite. Platt was admitted to ICU that day. He was transferred to the burn unit at UMC in Lubbock the following day because the injuries suffered from the medication were so severe. He was heavily sedated, placed on a ventilator and treated for the wounds. On Tuesday, Aug. 8, his kidneys shut down and his blood temperature dropped. He passed away at UMC later that evening.Platt’s arrangements are being handled by the Brooks Funeral Directors in Canyon. A memorial service will be conducted at 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 11 at St. Ann’s Church, 605 38th St., Canyon, followed by a graveside memorial service at Dreamland Cemetery Association, 26500 U.S. 87 in Canyon. Campus law enforcement lost a great officer in Cpl. Monty D. Platt. Everyone at the University Police Department extends prayers to the family during this difficult time. (Plainview Daily Herald)