Austin Police honoring fallen officers at memorial event

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department honored all 29 police officers who died in the line of duty at its Biannual Austin Police Memorial Event on Friday, the agency said in a news release.

In addition, APD inducted SPO Jorge Pastore on its memorial wall, and a ribbon with his name was added to the Honor Guard’s memorial flag, the release said.

“We say goodbye to our loved ones each shift not knowing what we might be facing and not knowing if we are ever going to make it back home. When these critical incidents occur, it is our officers you see running towards danger to help,” said APD Interim Chief of Police Robin Henderson during the event.

‘Rest easy brother, we’ll take it from here’: Crowds, law enforcement honor fallen Austin Police Officer Jorge Pastore

In November 2023, Pastore and APD SWAT attempted to rescue people from inside a south Austin home, according to police. During SWAT’s rescue attempt, officers and the suspect exchanged gunfire. Pastore was struck by the gunfire and was taken to the hospital where he later died, police said.

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