Funeral Arrangements Finalized For Sheriff's Deputy Shot At Round Rock Home

AUSTIN, TX -- The Travis County Sheriff's Office released details late Tuesday on the funeral arrangements for Sgt. Craig Hutchinson -- the veteran deputy fatally shot by suspected burglars at his home this week.

Known as "Hutch" to his friends, the fallen officer was a popular member of the force where he served for more than 20 years. In the early hours this past Monday, he detected prowlers in the backyard of his home, called his co-workers for backup and went to his backyard to investigate.

By the time other officers arrived, Sgt. Hutchinson was found injured from a gunshot wound near a ditch behind the backyard of his home. Hutchinson, 54, later succumbed to his injuries while hospitalized.

TCSO detectives and Round Rock police continue to investigate the incident, and no suspects have been identified.

Visitation is scheduled for Monday (Aug. 1) from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Cook Walden Funeral Home, 6100 N. Lamar, in Austin. Funeral service will follow the next day at 10 a.m. at the Shoreline Church, located at 15201 Burnet Rd. in Austin. A graveside service with full police honors will follow at Cook Walden-Capital Parks, 14501 N. Interstate 35 in Austin.

In an email to Patch, TCSO spokeswoman Kristen Dark said the services will be open to members of the public.

A towering presence, standing 6-foot-4 at 270 pounds, "Hutch" began his career at the Travis County Sheriff's Office in 1984 as a corrections officer. Despite his towering presence, colleagues remembered him as a gentle man who was widely admired and bestowed with professional honors.

"During his time as a training instructor, he touched the lives and futures of many if not most of TCSO’s current deputies, corrections officers and civilian staff," Dark previously said. "His influence and expertise has and will continue to impact our agency and this county in a positive manner for years to come."

TCSO Sheriff Greg Hamilton echoed the sentiments, expressing the affection he held for the deputy that transcended professional collegiality.

"This guy was a big teddy bear and everybody loved him,” Hamilton said. “He was a gentle bear, and he taught me everything I know, and I loved that guy to death.”

Hutchinson is survived by his wife, two children, three stepchildren, two grandchildren and his mother,

The Sheriff's Memorial & Benevolent Society of Travis County, Inc. (SMBS) is accepting donations on behalf of the Hutchinson family to help defray funeral costs and related expenses. Checks may be mailed to the Sheriff’s Memorial and Benevolent Society of Travis County, Inc. P. O. Box 252, Del Valle, Texas 78617. (Tax ID 01-0722641)

Donors are urged to notate “Hutchinson Fund” on the check. Cash donations may be dropped off at Travis County Sheriff’s Office Central Command, located at 5555 Airport Blvd., Austin TX, 78751. Credit Card donations are not accepted.