A Ride for Fallen Officers

A Ride For Fallen Officers

Published : Saturday, 05 May 2012, 7:41 PM CDT

A Ride For Fallen Officers: MyFoxAUSTIN.com

Hundreds of motorcycle riders took over I-35 for a bit Saturday morning as they rode in remembrance of fallen officers.

The 11th annual tribute took on even more of a special meaning as Austin Police Officer, Jaime Padron, and his family were honored.
During a special ceremony at the Fallen Peace Officers Memorial Wall at the State Capitol, Padron’s name was read for roll call.

He is one of 14 Texas peace officers killed in the line of duty in 2011 and so far in 2012.

Their names are now part of the peace officer’s memorial wall.

Padron’s ex wife, Amy and their two daughters, six-year-old, Olivia, and ten-year old, Ariana, were also recognized.

A moment retired police officer, Brian Rix, didn’t want to miss.

“Law enforcement agencies are just out there trying to keep the peace, all across the world, we’re all the same, and you feel it, believe me you feel it when someone goes down.”

Rix is from Australia.

He says he went to great lengths to show his support.

“Myself and my wife, shipped our motorcycles to South America and spent six months riding up to make this ride. We were under a bit of a time frame to get here to be part of this ride. To hear of the officers that you lose in this part of the world, we just had to be part of it.”

Rix is one of hundreds of motorcycle enthusiasts who took part in the annual ride for the fallen.

It’s put on by the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas or CLEAT.

APD Sgt. Todd Harrison is president of the group.

This year’s ride means more to Harrison since Padron was a good friend.

“Yes it does, as you can see, I’m getting a little teared up right now, he was a friend of mine, a board member on the Austin Police Association so anything you lose a friend, it just makes it that much more poignant.”

On April 6th, Padron was gunned down inside a North Austin Walmart.

He died at the scene.

The killing is still fresh on officers’ minds.

Sgt. Jason Ash is with the Limestone County Sheriff’s Office.

He once worked with the Travis County Sheriff’s Office and worked the same area as Officer Padron did.

“That could have easily been me back in the day.”

So if you were inconvenienced by the hundreds of motorcycle enthusiasts on the roadway, Sgt. Harrison says he’s sorry.

“We apologize for any traffic problems and it was only for one day and a short amount of time to remember our brothers and sisters.”

But it’ll happen again next year.

As always, the ride started at the Cowboy Harley Davidson in South Austin.

Read more: http://www.myfoxaustin.com/dpp/news/texas/A-Ride-For-Fallen-Officers-20120505-ktbcw#ixzz1uJAuoYrR