Sgt. Craig Hutchinson was killed in the early morning on July 25 while confronting suspects in the backyard of his home in Round Rock.
Advertisement
Travis County Sheriff Greg Hamilton reported that there was no evidence to suggest that Hutchinson was ambushed, but that items were missing from his backyard shed, and therefore he may have surprised suspected robbers. They said it is unlikely the incident was an ambush or targeting killing. Hutchison, known to the Travis County Sheriff’s family as “Hutch”, was immediately transported to St. David’s Round Rock Medical Center, where he was pronounced deceased. “This guy was a big teddy bear”.
The slain deputy was a 32-year veteran of the force and was planning to retire in September, according to the Statesman.
“This is near and dear to me”, Hamilton said.
The Round Rock Police Department is leading the joint investigation with the sheriff’s office, the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Texas Rangers.
A sheriff’s office statement says Hutchinson had gone off duty just minutes before he radioed in about prowlers in his yard – putting himself back on duty.
Officials will not report on the officer’s current condition.
Kristen Dark said the gunfire happened in Round Rock, about 15 miles north of Austin. He added, “Because we are in a country that is morally bankrupt, value depleted and it is going to take all of us to come together and address this particular issue”.
Advertisement
McNeil Road was closed while police investigated the scene. It will be updated as additional information becomes available.
