A veteran Texas sheriff's deputy was fatally shot early Monday morning after confronting two armed burglars at his own home north of Austin.
Police said Craig Hutchinson, a sergeant with the Travis County Sheriff's Office, was shot in Round Rock, 15 miles north of Austin, around 1:30 a.m., KXAN-TV reported. According to the station, Hutchinson called the Texas Department of Public Safety at around 1:22 a.m. when he saw the suspects running around his backyard.
We just got this photo. Sgt. Craig Hutchinson. 32 years at Travis County Sheriff's office. Shot and killed. RIP pic.twitter.com/M34mHmkGyr
— Sally Hernandez (@SallyHernandez) July 25, 2016
Officers arrived at Hutchinson’s house 10 minutes later to discover he had been shot in his backyard and that equipment had been stolen from his shed, Travis County Sheriff Greg Hamilton said at a press conference on Monday morning, according to KVUE-TV.
The sergeant was transported to Round Rock Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Hutchinson was 32-year veteran who had plans to retire in September.
Sgt. Hutchinson had plans to retire in September, body moved to Medical Examiner's Office https://t.co/l96Fn0npCi pic.twitter.com/t4apnjkmBr
— KXAN News (@KXAN_News) July 25, 2016
RIP Sgt. Craig Hutchinson (Travis Co. Deputy) who was shot/killed in his backyard. He had 32 years experience & was set to retire in Sept.
— Zack Shields FOX 7 (@zackshieldsFOX7) July 25, 2016
"He was a gentle bear. He taught me everything I know," Hamilton said. "He was my field training officer, and I loved that guy to death."
The sheriff told reporters he believed Hutchinson was another victim of a series of burglaries in the neighborhood in recent weeks.
Hutchinson was in full uniform and finishing his shift when he confronted the burglars in his backyard, according to KVUE.
A motorcade transported Hutchinson's body to the medical examiner's officer Monday morning.
APD and RRPD are temporarily shutting down IH35 SB as the TCSO deputy's body is escorted from RR Hosp to 15th St in Austin. WC1 #atxtraffic
— Austin Police Dept (@Austin_Police) July 25, 2016
Motorcade arriving at ME's office. WC1 #atxtraffic
— Austin Police Dept (@Austin_Police) July 25, 2016
Local authorities told residents to stay inside their homes as they search for the two suspects, KXAN reported.
Officer with Travis Cty. Sheriff's department shot at his Round Rock home. Search underway for 2 suspects. The latest on KXAN News at 4:30.
— KXAN News (@KXAN_News) July 25, 2016
Heavy police presence in Round Rock while search for shooting suspects continues https://t.co/l96Fn0npCi pic.twitter.com/7fMTyichoJ
— KXAN News (@KXAN_News) July 25, 2016
Working w/ multiple agencies on an active scene near McNeil Road & E. Messick Lp. Avoid area & choose an alt route. pic.twitter.com/doCEOQHYiA
— Round Rock Police (@roundrockpolice) July 25, 2016
Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo posted a message to Twitter early Monday morning, requesting prayer for the sheriff's department. "Sad, troubling times we live in," he wrote.
Please keep our @TravisCoSheriff family in your thoughts & prayers. Sad, troubling times we live in. @Austin_Police stands with our friends.
— Chief Art Acevedo (@ArtAcevedo) July 25, 2016
Our thoughts and prayers are with our @TravisCoSheriff family. https://t.co/mUSuEOTFFy
— Austin Police Dept (@Austin_Police) July 25, 2016
The investigation into Hutchinson's death is continuing.
Just arrived to scene of fatal shooting of #TCSO deputy in @roundrock. Chopper circling above. Dozens of officers. pic.twitter.com/PQYVAPHgkh
— Noelle Newton (@NoelleonFOX7) July 25, 2016
DPS helicopter arriving at the scene to assist with the search for the shooting suspectshttps://t.co/l96Fn0npCi pic.twitter.com/yJzTO2fuoC
— KXAN News (@KXAN_News) July 25, 2016
