The daughters of a West man who was murdered last Friday night in Abbott remember him as caring and compassionate.
According to the Hill County Sheriff's Office, Dennis Pavlas was shot after he approached a man who was parked in the driveway of his mother's house. Chief Deputy R.D. White said it is unknown the reason the suspect picked that driveway. In addition, at this time authorities have no indication Pavlas knew the shooter.
"I know he went to help whoever needed it but at the same time, I couldn't believe the most caring, selfless, passionate, innocent man. No one would ever hurt my dad," Pavla's daughter Breanna Watson said.
The murder suspect whose vehicle was spotted in Robinson after the incident in Abbott led police on a chase. He later died of a self-inflicted wound, according to the Hill County Sheriff's Office. His name has not been released pending confirmation of fingerprint identification from the medical examiner.
Watson has fond memories of her father, who loved to watch his daughters play softball.
"Last year my sister's team won state and that meant the world to him. That was his passion," Watson said.
Pavlas will be laid to rest on Friday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family to help with funeral expenses or to help Pavla's wife of 33 years get back on track. In addition, you can help fund a scholarship for his daughter Cassie.
"Dad was our backbone. He took care of us, so we want to make sure she is OK," Watson said. "It's not fair to her that he's gone and she deserves to know that everything will be OK and that she will be taken care of."
Cassie plans to attend McLennan Community College and complete a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and attend the University of Texas- Arlington after. She currently has a scholarship to play softball at MCC. Pavlas said she would use the funds for living expenses at MCC and to go to UT-Arlington.
"I would love to see him at the field. I know I can't anymore so he will be with me on the field always," Cassie Pavlas said.
Donations can also be made at the Aderhold Funeral Home or at the Pointwest bank in West which has an account called Cassie Scholarship.
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