It is my sad task to open my first blog in April on a tragic situation that occurred in Austin today. But it is my honor to praise this officer in my blog, and also to mention private citizens who deserve praise as well.
Officer Jaime Padron, Austin Police Department, worked his last shift today. He was attempting to arrest a "drunk" at one of the Walmart stores. After a short chase and during the ensuing struggle, the "drunk" pulled a pistol from under his shirt and shot the officer point blank in the chest. Even though the officer was wearing a "bullet proof vest," the shock from the bullet stunned the officer. The suspect quickly fired a second bullet, striking the officer in the neck. As the man fled, the officer was able to call for help. A second officer arrived quickly and began CPR. The ambulance crew arrived quickly as well, but the officer died at the scene.
Officer Padron was a double hero, having both served as a peace officer for over ten years, and serving in the armed forces in Iraq. My sympathy to his family, and to his friends at the police department. I for one would like to thank Officer Padron for his service and honor him as he made the ultimate sacrifice today. There are two other people that I would like to commend as well. Two Walmart employees immediately rushed to the officer's aid after he was shot. When the suspect fled the two employees gave chase. Their bravery was magnified when they continued the pursuit and apprehended the man even as he fired his weapon at them. These two Walmart employees deserve our praise. Not only did they aid the officer, but detained the shooter at the risk, literally, of their very lives. These two employees requested that their names not be published, but they are heroes just the same.
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