The Austin Police Department is reviewing the practice of escorting funeral processions after an officer was struck and killed while escorting such a procession last week.
Ofc. Amir Abdul-Khaliq died Sunday from his injuries days after getting hit by that vehicle last Thursday. The officer leaves behind five children in ages ranging from 10 to 21 years of age.
“It never ceases to amaze me in over 30 years, we always lose the best,” APD Chief Art Acevedo said during a press conference Monday morning.
The Muslim community held a funeral service Monday afternoon with the burial being held later Monday. APD motorcycle officers escorted the fallen officer to the gravesite and attended the service, including Chief Acevedo.
“There’s a retired officer I just ran into here that used to work motors with him and he came up to me crying,” Acevedo said. “He’s crying because he knows the heart of the man we lost. And it was a heart, a heart of gold.”
Acevedo said now the department is reviewing the practice of escorting processions. He mentioned a San Angelo officer who died while escorting a procession in June 2015. The officer in that incident was escorting a procession of boats for a parade.
In 2011, Law Officer brought up this issue with an article by Travis Yates titled, “Motor Escorts: Worth The Risks.” Yates’ opinion was countered by Toronto Police Service Sergeant Andie Norrie in an article titled, “Motor Escorts: Another Take.”
What do you think?
