Funeral Procession Offers Residents Chance To Salute Fallen Travis County Sheriff's Deputy

AUSTIN, TX -- Not everyone will be able to attend the funeral of Sgt. Craig Hutchinson, the Travis County Sheriff's Office deputy fatally shot at his home after coming across intruders. But those wishing to offer a final salute to the fallen officer can do so along the funeral procession route on Tuesday.

A visitation took place on Monday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Cook Waldon Funeral Home at 6100 North Lamar Blvd. On Tuesday (Aug. 2), a celebration of Hutchinson's life will take place at Shoreline Church, 15201 Burnet Rd., at 10 a.m.

En route to his final burial place, those wishing to honor the officer can line up -- provided they do so safely, police urged -- along the funeral procession route. The Austin Police Department also advise motorists to expect traffic delays between 7 a.m. and 2 p.m. for the funeral procession.

"This is a time for the citizens of Travis County and surrounding areas to pay their final respects to Sgt. Hutchinson," law enforcement officials said in a prepared statement. "TCSO and APD ask those wishing to pay their respects along the route do so as safely as possible."

The following is the route for the escort from the funeral home on Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2016 at 7 a.m. to Shoreline Church:

• North Lamar Boulevard
• To Koenig Lane
• To IH 35 North
• To Wells Branch Parkway
• To Burnet Road
• To Shoreline Church, 15201 Burnet Road

Additonally, the Police Honors and funeral procession route to Cook-Walden Capital Parks at 14501 N. Interstate 35 which takes place approximately between the hours of 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

• Exit Shoreline Church
• To south Loop 1/Mopac Expressway
• Eastbound on Parmer
• To northbound frontage of IH-35
• Turn into Cook-Walden Capital Parks, 14501 N. IH-35

"Please expect delays along these roadways, as there will be temporary closures along the entire length of the route," police advised.

On July 25, Sgt. Hutchinson called police headquarters at 1:22 a.m. requesting backup from fellow officers after detecting "prowlers" in the backyard of his Round Rock home, according to a sheriff's office press advisory. Upon the arrival of the backup officers, Hutchinson was found near a creek behind his backyard with a gunshot wound, a fatal injury to which he would later succumb while hospitalized.

A towering figure at 6' 4" and 270 lbs., Hutchinson -- simply "Hutch" to his friends -- was nonetheless described as a "gentle giant," generously imparting knowledge gleaned from 32 years on the force for the benefit of younger officers.

Hutchinson is survived by his wife, two children, three stepchildren, two grandchildren and his mother. He was 54 years old.