Police Shooting
- Austin Officer's Name Added To National Police Memorial
- Austin Officer's Name Added To National Police Memorial
- Defense Lawyer Withdraws From Accused Austin Cop Killer's Case
- Accused Austin Cop Killer May Appear In Court
- Accused Austin Police Killer Brandon Daniel To Face Death Penalty
- Alleged Austin Cop Killer Brandon Daniel In Court
- Suspect In North Austin Police Shooting Indicted For Capital Murder
- Austin Police Honor Brave Walmart Workers
- APD Hosts Benefit Concert and Memorial Ride for Fallen Officer Padron's Family
- Services Held For Fallen APD Officer In San Angelo
- San Angelo Prepares For Arrival Of Fallen Austin Police Officer
- Jaime Padron's Funeral Procession Traveled Through Austin
- Officers Travel From Across Texas To Honor Fallen Officer
- Thousands Pay Tribute To Officer Jaime Padron
- Fallen Austin Officer Jaime Padron Remembered In San Angelo
- Roommate Describes Police Shooting Suspect
- Fallen Officer Was 'Best Of The Best'
- Suspect In North Austin Police Shooting Booked Into Jail
- APD: History Of Heroism
- Officer Jaime Padron Was Veteran Law Officer
- Austinites Sound Off Over Police Officer's Death
- How To Help Officer's Family
- City Memo About Fallen Officer
- Austin Officer Shot, Killed Identified
Thousands Pay Tribute To Officer Jaime Padron
Updated: Wednesday, April 11 2012, 05:05 PM CDT
The community of police officers from across the country and Central Texas citizens Wednesday are honoring an Austin police officer who died in the line of duty.
Jaime Padron, 40, was shot to death Friday at the Wal-Mart near I-35 and Parmer Lane.
His funeral is taking place at Shoreline Church in North Austin.
Police Chief Art Acevedo called the service a celebration of life. He told Officer Padron's family that he loves them and they will be taken care of.
"He would always talk about how much he loved his daughters," Acevedo said. Padron's daughters are six and 10 years old.
Acevedo spoke to his officers saying, "We will get through this… and thank you for letting me lead you."
The chief also said, "He didn't die. He went into eternal life on Good Friday."
Acevedo brought up the two Wal-Mart employees who tackled suspect, Brandon Daniel, after the shooting. Daniel is charged with capital murder.
He also said Wal-Mart has donated $50,000 for a trust to Padron's two children. Padron's family has decided to use the money on youth programs in Austin.
The brother John Padron Jr. also spoke, thanking the police department and the community for helping their family through the tragedy
The service began with Shoreline Pastor Rob Kobe then the reading of scripture and obituary Senior Chaplain Rick Randall.
Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell spoke of his service to the country as a United States Marine. Leffingwell also served in the Marines.
The funeral procession will begin at approximately 1:45 p.m.and will travel this route.
- Northbound on Burnet Road to Hwy 45 Frontage Road.
- Eastbound Highway 45 Frontage Road to I-35
- Southbound on I-35 to Ben White Flyover
- Westbound Ben White Boulevard to Highway 290 West
- Westbound Highway 290 West to State Highway 71 West
- Westbound on State Highway 71 West to the intersection of FM 620
Procession will continue to Highway 87 North into San Angelo where Padron will be laid to rest. The procession will travel through the following Texas towns: Llano, Brady and Eden.
Padron will be buried in San Angelo Friday.
See our special section honoring Officer Padron.
See pictures of the funeral and tributes.
See our YouTube playlist of videos cut from Officer Padron's memorial.
Fallen Austin Officers
Amy Donovan, 37, Oct. 31, 2004
Officer Donovan was chasing a suspect on foot in East Austin. Her partner put the patrol car in reverse and tried to block the man's escape route. During the chase, the patrol car struck Donovan and pinned her next to a utility pole. Donovan had been a police officer for five months. She was survived by a husband and four children.
Clinton Hunter, 22, Nov. 29, 2001
Officer Hunter was on the I-35 access road near Onion Creek waiting to deploy a stinger, a device used to puncture and flatten tires, to stop car during a chase. The car hit and killed Hunter. He had been an officer for 14 months. Hunter is survived by a wife and two children.
Drew Alan Bolin, 25, June 2, 1995
Officer Bolin was directing traffic at an accident site on I-35 when a drunk driver hit and killed him. Bolin had been an officer for five months. He was survived by his parents and fiancee.
Robert Martinez Jr., 26, February 25, 1989
Officer Robert Martinez Jr. died 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.
Lee Smith, 28, December 15, 1979
Officer Smith was chasing a suspect on MoPac when he lost control of his motorcycle. He died from his injuries several months later.
Ralph A. Ablanedo, 26, May 18, 1978
Officer Ablanedo was shot to death during a traffic stop. The passenger in the car, David Lee Powell, had a warrant for his arrest. He shot Ablanedo with an AK-47. Powell was executed for the murder in 2010.
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