AUSTIN (Talk1370.com) -- As members of the Austin Police Department and other first responders from across Central Texas grieve the loss of one of their own and the wounding of another, there are two ways you can help support officers and their families.
Saturday morning, APD Officer Jorge Pastore was fatally wounded while attempting to rescue hostages during a SWAT situation in southwest Austin. A second officer, who has not yet been identified, was also wounded in the exchange of gunfire. That officer, according to APD, is in stable condition.
Austin Police Retired Officers Association president Dennis Farris, in an appearance on Talk 1370's Cardle & Woolley show Monday morning, said the weekend was especially tough on officers - with three deaths rocking the APD family.
"We had an unfortunate incident where we had a female officer take her own life on Saturday evening, and then [Sunday] we had a recently retired officer killed in a car crash," Farris said.
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Austin Cops 4 Charities, the official benevolent association of the Austin Police family, is taking donations for Pastore's family and the other officers involved. You can donate online and find more details at AustinC4C.com.
The 100 Club of Central Texas has also activated its Survivor & Critically Injured funds in the wake of the weekend's events. The club is taking donations online and by mail, and you can find more details online at their website.
Details for Pastore's memorial service and other funeral proceedings are still in the planning stages.