AUSTIN (KXAN) — “I think when you lose someone you love, especially an officer in the line of duty, the one thing you want is for them never to be forgotten,” Kim Pastore said from the foot of the Texas Peace Officers’ Memorial, where her husband’s name is etched in stone.
In November of 2023, her husband, Senior Officer Jorge Pastore, was killed as APD responded to a hostage situation in south Austin.
“Passionate, tenacious, and just a good-hearted loving person,” Kim said, describing Jorge. “I know for him, he would be proud to be on this wall. For him, he was doing what he loved.”
Fallen officers’ memorial run to take place Sunday
Sergeant Ben Mewis has used running as a way to engage with the community for the past four years. Some of the runs have benefited charities, others have raised awareness for causes – and some have been used to commemorate officers who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
The run planned for Sunday will be 29 miles to honor the 29 line-of-duty deaths in Austin. It will be done in relay form with various officers – and people connected to the department – hopping in and out of the course, which will run past each APD substation. There will also be a stop at the Peace Officers’ Memorial on the Capitol grounds.
“Means a lot more because I have my other brothers and sisters in the department running with me, and not only that, we get to represent our fallen brothers and sister,” Mewis said.
Kim will join for mile 29. Jorge was the 29th officer in the city to die in the line of duty.
“I knew if it was special to me, it would be special to all of the other family members,” she said. Since Jorge’s passing, Kim has also launched the Humble Warrior Games in honor of her husband.
Austin Police Benevolent Foundation seeking donations
Mewis has looped the Austin Police Benevolent Foundation into this weekend’s run. It provides emergency funds for officers in need, assisting with anything from funeral expenses to medical costs and other at-home needs.
The foundation’s chair, Laurie Gomez Edwards, said the fund has been used, for example, in an instance where an officer’s home burned down, and in a separate case where an officer lost a child.
She said this safety net of funds for officers has a trickle-down impact on overall public safety.
“If had an officer that was coming to my house on my worst day, I would want the officer to be at their best,” Gomez Edwards said. “And I think… they can’t do that if they have personal issues they’re constantly worried about. And so I think that helps them not only perform their job better, but also have a clearer mind.”
The foundation has gone through a rebranding over the past couple of years, which she said has contributed to a slowdown in donations. The money comes from other officers and community supporters.
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