Jaime Padron - Texas Gang Investigators Association

Fallen Officer Was 'Best Of The Best'

At the Austin Police Department Headquarters Friday afternoon, flags were flying at half staff as the force remembers one of their own; 41-year-old Senior Officer Jaime Padron.  He is memorialized as one of the finest to wear the uniform.

“He was outstanding cop.  And it always seems--we’re not perfect--but it always seems when we lose an officer it’s the best of the best.  When the call goes out they do not hesitate they don’t hesitate to get there.  I can tell you through my experiences with him we lost a really good solid human being today and it’s a loss for the city,” announced Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo at an early morning news conference outside the North Austin Wal-Mart where Padron was shot to death at point blank range hours earlier while responding to a drunk and disorderly person call at the store.

Officer Padron is survived by his parents and two daughters, ages 6 and 10.

“They are not alone. The Austin Police Department our first response community and most importantly our city and our community will stand with this family and we will make sure those two little girls who just lost their father tonight through no fault of his own are raised the way they need to be raised that their needs are met,” assures Chief Acevedo.

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 Padon 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.
(Read more: http://www.odmp.org/officer/21219-senior-police-officer-jaime-padron#ixzz1rYCEylzS)

Statement from Martin "Ringo" DeLeon
President
Texas Gang Investigators Association

Jaime Padron, Senior Police Officer with the Austin Police Department and longtime member of the Texas Gang Investigator’s Association was shot and killed in the line of duty on April 6, 2012, Friday, while struggling to subdue a potentially intoxicated man at a Walmart in Austin, and two employees tackled the suspect and disarmed him until help arrived. Senior Police Officer Jaime Padron was shot twice—one in his protective vest and a second time in the neck—and died at the scene, Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo said at a news conference.  

Padron, 40, was responding to a call about of a drunk man inside the store around 2:30 a.m., Acevedo said. The suspect tried to run and the officer chased after him, before the two fell to the ground.  "The suspect produced a semi-automatic pistol and shot the officer at point-blank range," Acevedo said. Padron didn't have a chance to even pull out his own weapon.  As the officer called for help with his radio, two Walmart employees tackled the suspect, who fired a third shot at one of them before he was disarmed, he added.  Once the suspect was handcuffed, another officer gave Padron CPR and medics tried to revive him. They pronounced the officer dead at 2:44 a.m. The initial call was considered low priority and low risk, Acevedo said.  "This was a routine call," he said. "What makes our job deadly is that there is no routine call."

We are writing this story with a heavy heart, because Jaime was an active member and would always be ready to lend a hand, especially during conference time.  He cared about family, friends, work and community, he will be sorely missed.  We know that each of us will mourn independently, but we must rely on one another to get through this.  Jaime has blessed us all with his life and we have many wonderful stories and memories to share and this will only help us.
   
Jaime was not only our member, he was our friend and we will miss him terribly.  TGIA wants to express great sorrow for the loss of our brother officer, Jaime Padron.  Jaime was killed honorably in the line of duty, and we just want everyone to know how grateful we are for his ultimate sacrifice. The death of an officer is always a great tragedy.

We know his family and friends must be overwhelmed by this sudden loss and we want them to know that we are here for them.  On behalf of the Texas Gang Investigator’s Association we want to express our deepest sympathy, you all are in our thoughts and prayers.

We will miss you greatly!!!!