Austin, Area Police Mourn Death Of Officer Killed While Guiding Funeral Procession [UPDATED]

AUSTIN, TX -- Area police and city officials are mourning the loss of an Austin officer who died Sunday after being involved in a motorcycle crash last week.

Amir Abdul-Khaliq, 46, had been guiding a funeral procession on Burnet Road Thursday morning when a woman made an illegal left turn in front of him through the procession, according to police. The officer's motorcycle struck the passenger side of the woman's car.

The driver making the illegal turn was cited for failure to yield the right of way to an emergency vehicle, and other charges could be pending.

By Friday morning, an urgent call was made for blood donations as the officer languished in critical condition at University Medical Center Brackenridge.

"Despite his valiant fight, it is with deep and heavy hearts that early this evening Senior Police Officer Amir Abdul-Khaliq succumbed to his injuries from a motorcycle crash earlier in the week," the Austin Police Department said in a statement issued Sunday.

Abdul-Khaliq has been with the Austin Police Department for 17 years, most recently assigned to APD’s Highway Enforcement Command. Prior to joining APD, he served in the Marines.

"Our hearts, thoughts and prayers are with his family," the APD statement read. "Officer Abdul-Khaliq was an individual that we all loved and served as a great role model for his children, his peers and our community."

Other area law enforcement sent condolences as well. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the Austin Police Department as well as the friends and family of Officer Amir Abdul-Khaliq as they mourn his loss," the Leander Police Department said on their Facebook page.

The Travis County Sheriff's Office -- which itself experienced the loss of one their officers just recently -- also sent their heartfelt messages: "We extend our heart-felt condolences to our friends and colleagues at Austin Police Department for the loss of Officer Amir Abdul-Khaliq," the TCSO wrote on Twitter.

The TCSO rank and file is still reeling after the death of one of its officers last month. Craig Hutchinson called for backup at his home close to 1:30 a.m. to report "prowlers" in his back yard. It was later determined the officer killed himself, possibly despondent over financial trouble and in the throes of depression.

We extend our heart-felt condolences to our friends and colleagues at Austin Police Department for the loss of Officer Amir Abdul-Khaliq.
— Travis County SO (@TravisCoSheriff) September" class="redactor-linkify-object">https://twitter.com/TravisCoSh... 5, 2016

Round Rock Police also noted the passing, issuing a succinct, yet heartfelt, reference to the fallen officer. "Such sad news...." police wrote on their Twitter account with the APD statement attached to the post. They added the hashtags #RIP and #EOW -- the latter signifying "end of watch," verbiage customarily written in reference to the death of an office killed in the line of duty.

News of Abdul-Khaliq traveled far, touching the hearts of officers well beyond the Austin area. The Fort Worth Police Department issued a tweeted message of condolence as well.

"Our prayers go out to the family & friends of @Austin_Police Officer Amir Abdul-Khaliq, the FWPD tweeted. "May he rest in peace."

Beyond Texas, officers in New York City issued their own expression of sympathy. With double the resonance -- both for their shared occupation and faith -- The NYPD Muslim Officers Society sent their condolences through the ether of the Internet. "May he rest in peace, and God bless him," his fellow officers wrote.

Also from New York City arrived thoughts from the NYPD Guardians Association. Attached to their message was a single rose -- not red, white or yellow but blue like the color of their shared uniform.

Back home, the Austin ISD police force sent an expression of sympathy to the fallen officers' family.

APD Chief Art Acevedo said the department "lost a hero with the heart of a lion," in an extended tweet.

"At this difficult time it's important that we support the good men and women of APD and one another," Acevedo wrote. "Amir's APD family are committed to continue to serve in a manner that honors his sacrifice and the sacrifice or all that have paid the ultimate gave their life in service before him.

The chief ends his missive "with heavy heart," before signing off.

On the Officer Down Memorial Page, Abdul-Khaliq has already been memorized for his end of watch. Included in the page is a summation of his law enforcement career. But at the end, the saddest part of his personal narrative: Reference to the five children he leaves behind.

>>> Photo of Officer Abdul-Khaliq courtesy of the Austin Police Department