Austin Officials To Stage Memorial Service 1 Year After Bombings

AUSTIN, TEXAS — City and law enforcement officials will gather on Thursday at City Hall for a memorial ceremony one year after the serial bombings that terrorized the city, officials said.

The first anniversary of the bombing occurs on March 21. To mark the anniversary, the memorial will take place at 10 a.m. as a way of remembering those killed and injured while honoring the hundreds of local, state and federal law enforcement officials who took part in the investigation.

Scheduled to participate in the memorial are Austin Mayor Steve Adler; City Manager Spencer Cronk; Police Chief Brian Manley; and Pete Winstead, president of the Greater Austin Crime Commission.

A series of parcel bombings killed two last year, injuring several others during two weeks of terror in the city when every errant cardboard box or backpack was viewed with suspicion and a measure of fear. The terror campaign ended after police tracked the culprit, who detonated one of his homemade bombs on himself to elude live capture.

Founded in 1997, the Greater Austin Crime Commission supports Central Texas first responders and promotes regional homeland security and public safety planning. The nonprofit organization serves Bastrop, Burnet, Caldwell, Hays, Travis and Williamson Counties. Pete Winstead leads a board of 60 business and community leaders. Past presidents include Roy Butler, Paul J. Bury III, Dr. William H. Cunningham, Richard S. Hill, Joe E. Holt, Adm. Bobby R. Inman, David L. Roche, Mack Wallace, Ralph Wayne and Amb. Pamela P. Willeford.

For more information about the Commission, visit austincrime.org.

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