Acevedo: The silver lining in tragedy's cloud

By Art Acevedo, Austin Police Chief

Published: 6:49 p.m. Wednesday, April 18, 2012 in The Austin American-Statesman

See: http://www.statesman.com/opinion/acevedo-the-silver-lining-in-tragedys-cloud-2313357.html

 

By now many of the people of Austin and beyond know about the tragic cold-blooded killing of officer Jaime Padron of the Austin Police Department. Jaime spent his entire adult life in the service of others as a combat U.S. Marine infantryman and as a police officer in San Angelo and then Austin. Jaime lived and died as a hero, doing what he loved best, serving others.

 

As I reflect upon Jaime's death and the aftermath, I am deeply comforted by the knowledge that Jaime and his family were of deep faith. Although we lost a great public servant, and two young girls lost their loving father, Padron's final selfless act provided a great gift to the people of Austin: The opportunity to express their support, respect and appreciation not just for Jaime, but for all of his colleagues.

 

The open display by a diverse group of thousands has not gone unnoticed by our officers, who have become accustomed only to hearing from a few loud critics and to being pummeled by a constant barrage of mostly unwarranted criticism that I believe in most instances has been generated solely for politically expedient and self-serving reasons. These regular critics, for whom the facts and the law are apparently irrelevant, are quick to ostracize officers when they use force to defend themselves or others from injury or death, or to make a lawful arrest. These same people almost universally fail to condemn attacks on police officers or, even worse, the cold-blooded killing of an officer as illustrated by their silence surrounding Padron's death.

 

Following Padron's murder, Austin police heard from the silent majority who strongly support and appreciate the collective excellence of our personnel.

 

Law enforcement employees were filled with emotion as they witnessed thousands of community members holding signs expressing gratitude and support for Padron and his colleagues along the motorcade route that carried Padron's body from the funeral in Austin last Wednesday back to San Angelo. Yellow balloons were released and American flags were waived along the route.

 

I have received many words of appreciation from the men and women I lead for the love and support they have seen this past week. Throughout the past few days I have heard many officers say that Jaime and the people of Austin have made them prouder than ever to say that they are members of the Austin Police Department and that they serve the people in one of the finest cities in our nation. On behalf of Padron's family and of the men and women of the Austin Police Department, I must say, "Thank you, Austin!" for your overwhelming support and expressions of true appreciation.

 

And thank you to the Austin media for helping to tell Senior Police Officer Padron's story so eloquently and sensitively, and for helping to show the rest of the United States that the relationship between the APD and all of the people it serves is healthy and strong.

 

As a result of Padron's death, we now know more than ever that the police department and the community it serves need each other, appreciate each other and will always be there for each other.