Memorial services inside Shoreline Church honoring Senior Officer Jaime Padron recently concluded. The bilingual service, with some speakers and songs in both English and Spanish, lasted about an hour and a half.
Speakers included Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell, members of Padron鈥檚 family, and Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo. Chief Acevedo delivered a lengthy and emotional speech, applauding Padron鈥檚 relatives, the Wal-Mart employees that tackled Padron鈥檚 accused shooter Brandon Montgomery Daniel, and groups that contributed financial support to Padron鈥檚 family.
Acevedo also lauded the Austin Police Department for showing 鈥渢remendous courage鈥� and 鈥渢remendous class.鈥�
鈥淚 always tell you I鈥檓 proud of you guys,鈥� Acevedo said, his voice quivering. 鈥淏ut I鈥檓 more proud than ever today of being your chief. We will get through it, this is just the beginning. And I want to say thank you for letting me lead you. You matter. We will always be there for you, and we鈥檒l get through it together.鈥�
A proclamation from Governor Rick Perry was also read. The proclamation described the loss of Padron as a tremendous loss to the entire state.
Padron's body will be to be laid to rest.
You can listen to a report Andy Uhler filed for KUT News in the audio player above.
