In Memoriam

Officer Fahey, a native of Cork, Ireland, was shot through the abdomen on an unknown block of Congress Avenue between the hours of 12 a.m. and 1 a.m. on Sunday, March 7, 1875. His assailant, a "whiskey-crazed" man named Mark Tiner, fled the scene on horseback and was captured in hancock's pasture approximately 3 ½ miles north of the city. Fahey was able to identify Tiner before dying of his wounds. Officer Fahey, according to local press, "was an efficient officer, and fell while in the discharge of his duty." He is the first Austin police officer known to have died in the line of duty.

Officer John Gaines, the only African American officer on the Austin police force, was shot by George Booth, a deputy constable, at 6th Street and Trinity Street. on November 19, 1913. Booth, who had been making a disturbance, shot Officer Gaines while Gaines was on the telephone summoning help from the police station. At that time, African-American officers were not allowed to arrest whites. Officer Gaines and his wife, Sarah, were originally from Big Spring, Texas.

Officer Tom Allen, Austin's only African-American police officer since the death of John Gaines two years earlier, was shot and killed at Jennings' Drug Store in the 400 block of East 6th Street. The shooting followed an argument between Officer Allen and the editor of a black newspaper in San Antonio. Officer Allen was angered by reports that he had mistreated several African-American women he had arrested. After a confrontation with the editor by the wagon yard near Red River Street, Officer Allen followed the man to Jennings' drugstore. The editor, arriving first, drew a handgun from a briefcase he had left at the store and shot Officer Allen as he entered, his own gun drawn and ready. According to a newspaper story of the time, Officer Allen was killed only thirty feet from the site where Officer John Gaines had died two years earlier.

Chief James Littlepage was killed during a shooting rampage in South Austin on October 9, 1928. Chief Littlepage and several officers set out from City Hall on report that a crazed man wielding a shotgun had killed two women near the 300 block of Elizabeth Street. Officers chased the man along a creek bed while Chief Littlepage drove his automobile around to head the man off. When Chief Littlepage confronted the fleeing man at the 2500 block of Wilson Street, he attempted to talk him into surrendering. The gunman shot the Chief twice in the abdomen, then ran on to a house at 1800 Newton Street, where he shot and killed a carpenter working outside the home. Eventually the gunman, barricaded in yet another house, took his own life as police closed in.

Sgt. Willaim Stuart was killed in the line of duty when his motorcycle was struck by a car at the 1000 block of South Congress Avenue. Officer Stuart was attempting to pull over a speeding truck when he was struck by the car. The driver of the car was charged with negligent homicide.

Officer James Cummings was killed in the line of duty when the motorcycle he was riding en route to an emergency call collided with a car at the intersection of 14th Street and Red River Street. Despite efforts by Cummings' partner and the occupants of the car to carry Officer Cummings to nearby Brackenridge Hospital, he died almost instantly from his wounds. Officer Cummings was the second motorcycle officer to be killed in the line of duty in less than two months.

Officer Elkins Morrison was killed in the line of duty when he was struck by a car at the 300 block of Congress Avenue. Officer Morrison was on detective duty when he was struck crossing the street. Darkness, fog and rain were blamed for poor visibility leading to the accident.

Officer Walter Tucker was killed in the line of duty when the motorcycle he was riding collided with a car at the intersection of Monroe and South Congress Avenue. Tucker, a two-year veteran, was on traffic patrol when the collision occurred.

Officer Donald Carpenter was killed at the site of a burglary in progress. As officers surrounded the business, a suspect inside shouted that he was coming out, but instead opened fire. Officer Carpenter was just exiting his patrol car when he was struck by gunfire from inside the building. Another officer already on the scene was seriously wounded. Officer Carpenter, shot in the head, died two days later.

Officer Billy Speed was eating lunch at a cafe near the University of Texas campus when he heard gunfire. While investigating the shooting coming from the University of Texas Tower, he was struck and killed by a rifle bullet, making him one of the first victims of Charles Whitman, the infamous tower sniper. Whitman went on that day to kill a total of 16 and to wound more than 30 others.

Officer Thomas Birtong was killed in a traffic collision at 15th and Trinity Street while responding to an officer's call for assistance. Officer Birtong's patrol car was operating "Code 3" - lights flashing and siren on-when the collision occurred.

Officer Leland Anderson was killed when he was attacked by three men at the intersection of 8th Street and Congress Avenue. Officer Anderson had observed one of the subjects selling papers and had stopped to check if he was in compliance with City ordinances. When Officer Anderson attempted to arrest one of the men on outstanding traffic warrants, a fight ensued. One of the subjects gained control of Officer Anderson's gun and shot him. Despite Officer Anderson's bulletproof vest, one bullet entered between the front and rear panel and penetrated his chest. The subjects were arrested following a pursuit in which gunfire was exchanged.

Officer Ralph Ablanedo was killed in the line of duty during a traffic stop in the 900 block of Live Oak Street. Officer Ablanedo had ticketed the driver of the car, Sheila Meinert, for driving without a license, then ran a routine check on the passenger, David Lee Powell, who had warrants for misdemeanor theft and hot checks. As Officer Ablanedo spoke on his radio, Powell opened fire with a fully automatic AK-47, penetrating Officer Ablanedo's bulletproof vest. Despite his injuries, Officer Ablanedo was able to give officers a description of the car before he lost consciousness and died. Powell opened fire on a second officer when he was stopped a short time later, and also tossed a hand grenade, which failed to explode. His companion, Meinert, surrendered, and Powell fled on foot, only to be arrested a few hours later after an extensive manhunt. Powell was eventually convicted of murder and sentenced to death.

Officer Lee Smith, a motorcycle officer, died as a result of injuries suffered in an accident while on duty. While pursuing a motorist on the newly completed Mopac freeway, Officer Smith lost control of his motorcycle. A defective steering part caused the accident. Although Officer Smith had seemingly recovered from his injuries, he died suddenly at his home some months later as a result of the accident.

Officer Robert Martinez Jr. was killed in the line of duty when his patrol car struck a tree. Martinez, who was en route to assist another officer, swerved to avoid a pick up truck that had pulled into his path. At the time of the collision, Officer Martinez was working the last hour of his last shift before a scheduled transfer to Walking Beat.

Officer Drew Bolin was killed in the line of duty when he was struck by drunk driver while directing traffic at a collision site in the 4800 block of IH-35. The driver of the vehicle, Cessilee Hyde, was convicted of intoxication manslaughter. Officer Bolin was in his fifth month of service as a commissioned officer of the Austin Police Department at the time of his death.

Officer William Jones was shot and killed while conducting a traffic stop at Zilker Park.

Officer Jones was speaking with the driver of the vehicle when the driver opened fire, striking him in the chest twice and the neck once. Officer Jones, who was not wearing a vest, was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

More than 200 youth soccer teams were attending an international soccer tournament at the park at the time of the shooting.

The suspect fled the scene, but was spotted several hours later near Houston, Texas, approximately 150 miles away. After a short chase the suspect committed suicide. He had already served time in prison and was currently wanted by another jurisdiction for sexual assault.

Officer Jones had been employed with the Austin Park Police Department for three years, and is survived by his wife and three children. A memorial to Officer Jones was erected by contribution and City of Austin funds in Zilker Park at the intersection of Rober E. Lee Blvd and Barton Springs Road near the location of his fatal shooting.

Officer Clinton Hunter died from fatal injuries sustained when a vehicle, driven by a suspect attempting to flee from patrol officers, struck him. Officer Hunter was in his 14th month of service as a commissioned officer of the Austin Police Department at the time of his death. The suspect, Herschel Hinkle, eventually pleaded guilty of intoxication manslaughter and was sentenced to life in prison.

Sergeant Earl Hall passed away on March 4, 2002. He was a 21-year veteran of the Austin Police Department.

Officer Donovan was killed when she was accidentally struck by a police cruiser during a foot chase.

At approximately 2248 hours, Officer Donovan and her partner observed a suspicious person walking on the 1300 block of Poquito Street. Officer Donovan got out of the car to talk to the man and he began running. Officer Donovan began to chase the suspect and her partner put the patrol car in reverse and tried to block the man's escape route. During the chase, the patrol car struck Officer Donovan and pinned her next to a utility pole. She was taken to Brackenridge Hospital where she died of her injuries at approximately 0200 hours.

Senior Police Officer Jaime Padron was shot and killed after responding to a Walmart store on the I-35 Frontage Road to investigate reports of an intoxicated man who was shoplifting at approximately 2:30 am.

Upon arriving at the scene, Officer Padron spoke with two employees and then tried to stop the man as he attempted to leave the store. The subject immediately attempted to flee on foot but was tackled by Officer Padron and they both fell to the ground. During the ensuing struggle the man produced a small handgun from his pocket, shot Officer Padron in the vest and neck, and then fired at the store employees.

Two Walmart employees tackled the suspect and held him down and then used Officer Padron's radio to notify dispatchers of the shooting. They held him down until responding units arrived and placed him under arrest. He was subsequently charged with capital murder.

Officer Padron succumbed to his wound at the scene.

Officer Padron was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and had served with the Austin Police Department for three years. He had previously served with the Austin Airport Police Department and the San Angelo Police Department for 14 years. He is survived by his two young daughters and parents.

Lieutenant Clay Crabb was killed in an automobile collision on U.S. Highway 290, near Sawyer Ranch Road in Hays County, while en route to the police station.

His patrol car hydroplaned and slid into oncoming traffic and was struck by another vehicle during a period of heavy rain.

Lieutenant Crabb had served with the Austin Police Department for 15 years and previously served with the San Angelo Police Department for four years. He is survived by his wife and three children. He was killed the day before his 43rd birthday.

Officer Abdul-Khaliq, 46, succumbed to injuries he sustained four days earlier in an on duty patrol motorcycle vs. vehicle crash.

On September 1, 2016 Officer Abdul-Khaliq along with other officers of the Police Department’s Motor Unit, were escorting a funeral procession through the city. Officers were blocking intersections allowing the funeral procession to pass through traffic.

As Officer Abdul-Khaliq was passing along the side of the funeral procession, a vehicle driven by a 51 year old female, made a left turn through the funeral procession and into the path of Officer Abdul-Khaliq’s motor unit. Officer Abdul-Khaliq was unable to avoid a collision and struck the vehicle. As a result of the collision, Officer Abdul-Khaliq was thrown from the motorcycle and onto the pavement. He sustained critical injuries in the crash.

Officer Abdul-Khaliq was transported to the University Medical Center Brackenridge for emergency treatment of his injuries. He remained in the intensive care unit in critical condition until his condition worsened and he died on September 4, 2016.

Officer Abdul-Khaliq served the Austin Police Department for seventeen years. Most of his service time was with the Motor Unit of the Patrol Division. He had recently been assigned to the Department’s Highway Enforcement Command within the Motor Unit. Prior to serving with the Police Department, Officer Abdul-Khaliq served in the U. S. Marine Corps. He is survived by his wife and five children.

Police Officer Andy Traylor succumbed to injuries sustained in a vehicle crash three days earlier while responding to an emergency call for service at about 2:10 am.

He was traveling on FM 969 when a tractor-trailer attempted to make a U-turn in front of him at Decker Lane. Officer Traylor was unable to avoid a collision and his patrol car became pinned beneath the trailer. He was extricated from the vehicle and transported to a local hospital. He remained on life support and passed away on July 31st, 2021, after his organs were donated.

Officer Traylor was a U.S. Navy veteran and had served with the Austin Police Department for nine years. He is survived by his wife and five children.

Senior Police Officer Randy Boyd died from complications as the result of contracting COVID-19 while working patrol.

Officer Boyd served with the Austin Police Department for seven years. He is survived by his wife and twin sons.

Senior Sergeant Steve Urias died as the result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty.

Sergeant Urias worked for the Austin Police Department for 31 years. He is survived by his wife and two children.

Senior Police Officer Eric Lindsey died from complications as a result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty while serving at the Southeast Area Command at 812 Springdale Road in Austin.

Officer Lindsey had served with the Austin Police Department for 20 years. He is survived by his wife and son

Senior Patrol Officer Tony Martin was killed in a motorcycle crash at the intersection of State Highway 29 and RM 1869 in Liberty Hill at 6 am.

Officer Martin was traveling westbound on State Highway 29 when a vehicle traveling eastbound attempted to turn left and struck the police motorcycle. Officer Martin died at the scene.

Officer Martin was a United States Air Force Security Forces veteran and had served with the Austin Police Department for 15 years. He is survived by his wife, son, two daughters, granddaughter, and parents.

Senior Police Officer Jorge “George” Pastore was shot and killed during a hostage barricade in the 9300 block of Bernoulli Drive at about 4:10 am.

Patrol officers had initially responded to the residence for a domestic violence call involving a stabbing shortly before 3:00 am. Arriving officers located an injured victim outside of the home and learned there were two more injured victims inside. As the officers attempted to enter the home to rescue the victims the subject inside opened fire, causing the officers to retreat.

The SWAT team arrived at the scene and attempted a hostage rescue at about 4:30 am. The subject opened fire on the SWAT team, fatally wounding Officer Pastore and wounding a second officer. The officers returned fire, killing him. The other two victims were also found deceased inside the home.