Austin Police Department Honor Guard

03/13/2026

01/27/2026

It is with great sadness we regret to inform you of the passing of former APD Range Master Robert “Bob” G. Housman.

Robert “Bob” G. Housman, Sr., age 86, of Spencer, South Dakota, passed away and is now reunited with his beloved wife, Karen A. Housman, who preceded him in death.

Bob proudly served in the United States Air Force from 1959 until his retirement in 1982, concluding his distinguished career as the Chief of Training at Lackland Air Force Base. His dedication to service continued after the military when he became a Floresville Police Officer. Soon after, he found the role that perfectly matched his lifelong passion: Range Master for the Austin Police Department. He served there for 20 years, often saying, “those were the best years of my life.” With his deep love of fi****ms and training, it truly was his dream job.

Bob was known for his warmth, humor, and the countless stories he loved to share. He had friends everywhere he went, and anyone who crossed his path was greeted with a smile, a handshake, and usually a tale worth remembering.

He leaves behind three children who adored him: Judy Netek (Don), Bobby Housman, and Jeannie Mutchler (Jason). He was a proud grandfather to seven grandchildren—Christine Netek, Kindall Divine (Ryan), Donny Netek, Justin Housman (Lauren), Scott Mutchler (Sarah), Kasye (Cody), and Amy (Brian)—and a great‑grandfather to twelve great‑grandchildren who brought him immense joy.

A memorial gathering will be held at the Austin Police Association Hall, 5817 Wilcab Rd., on February 14th at 2:00 p.m. Refreshments will be served. All are welcome to come as they are and share stories, memories, and moments that celebrate Bob’s life and the many people he touched.

01/27/2026

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/pflugerville-tx/eugene-blomstrom-12705824

01/15/2026

https://www.providencejonesfuneralhome.com/obituaries/horace-hodge?sfnsn=mo

12/29/2025

It is with great sadness that we write to inform you of the sudden and untimely passing of Patrol K9 “Jax”.

Jax, an Eastern European native Belgian Malinois, began his training with his partner Senior Police Officer (SPO) Nate Wagner, in August of 2016. Over more than nine years of service, Nate and K9 Jax made 227 arrests including nine apprehensions. Among those arrested, 11 were wanted for murder. In addition to assisting APD Patrol, K9 Jax supported SWAT, the Violent Crimes Task Force, the Special Victims Unit (SVU) and the U.S. Marshals Lone Star Fugitive Task Force. He also responded on multiple occasions to assist the Travis County Sheriff’s, Williamson County Sheriff’s Office and Hays County Sheriff’s Office.

For those who know Nate personally, you know he is always joking around and has a goofy sense of humor. Those traits traveled right down the leash to K9 Jax. Together, they were a team that brought plenty of laughs. K9 Jax always exited the police car with his signature spin moves before he started tracking down suspects.

On December 27, 2025, K9 Jax suffered a medical complication and was rushed to the veterinarian. Despite the efforts of dedicated and talented doctors, his condition was beyond recovery. Although Jax was deteriorating quickly and could barely stand, he made one last trip around the room, hoping someone would throw his beloved Kong one final time. Jax passed away shortly after 7 p.m. lying next to Nate and his wife, Andi.

K9 Jax is the first APD Patrol K9 to pass away while still actively working. He was scheduled to retire in less than two weeks, on January 8, 2026. K9 Jax can rest easy knowing that his nine K9 Fur-Brothers will continue to follow the scent to find dangerous criminals and keep each and every one of us safe.

Please keep SPO Wagner, his family and all of Patrol K9 in your thoughts during this difficult time.

12/23/2025

It is with a heavy heart that we inform you of the passing of Senior Sergeant Donye Bailey #308. Sr Sgt Bailey began his distinguished career as an Austin Police Officer on February 10th, 1969 as a cadet and was commissioned on June 6, 1969. He was a patrolman until his promotion to Police Sergeant on November 30th, 1973 where he remained in CID (Homicide) until he was elected as Travis County Sheriff on January 1st 1981. After resigning his position with Austin Police Department, he remained the elected Sheriff of Travis County until July 1992.

Please keep the Bailey family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

Funeral services and interment are as follows:

Service:

Monday, December 29, 2025
Visitation at 12pm, Service at 1pm
Manchaca Baptist Church
1215 Farm to Market 1626, Manchaca TX 78652

Police Honors will be rendered after the service and held at the cemetery:

Onion Creek Cemetery
11608 Chapel Ln
Austin, Texas 78748

06/19/2025

Sergeant Michael L. King #4127 passed away unexpectedly on Monday, June 16, 2025, at the age of 53 after medical complications. Sgt. King began his career with the department on June 28, 1999. He was commissioned on September 24, 1999. Sgt King began his career on Patrol in Southeast Austin and transferred up to Northwest evening shift a few years later. On October 1, 2003, he was promoted to the rank of Detective and promoted to Sergeant on November 4, 2012. Sgt King was assigned to the Violent Crimes Division - Crisis Intervention Unit where he was passionate about serving our mental health community.

He is survived by his four daughters Shelby, Raegan, Samantha, and Kylie King, his parents Samuel and Lesli King, sister Kasey and husband Jed Kennis, sister Karey and husband Cody Smith, along with many nieces and nephews.

Please continue to keep his family in your thoughts and prayers as they navigate through this difficult time. If you would like to support the King family, contributions can be made through the Austin Police Benevolent Foundation.

Funeral services will be as follows:

Visitation / Funeral
Tuesday, June 24, 2025
Great Hills Baptist Church
10500 Jollyville Rd
Austin, TX 78759

Visitation
Family 9 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Public 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.

Funeral Service
11 a.m. – 12 p.m.

***Police Honors – Immediately following service in the church parking lot**

Internment – 1 p.m.
Cook Walden / Capital Park Cemetery
14501 N IH 35
Pflugerville, TX 78660

06/17/2025

It is with heavy heart that we inform you of the unexpected passing of Retired Detective Robert “Slick” Benfer. Det. Benfer passed away while recovering at home from pneumonia.

Det. Benfer, an eight year Army Veteran, began his law enforcement career on January 11, 1993, with the Austin Police Department’s 82nd Cadet Class and was commissioned on July 9, 1993. Upon graduating the academy, Det. Benfer was assigned to patrol in David Sector until moving on to the Organized Crime Division (OCD) where he would remain until his retirement after 23 years of service on July 29, 2016. Det. Benfer, referred to as “Slick” loved working in OCD and was also a part of the DEA Task Force.

Robert Benfer is survived by his wife, Angela Benfer. Please keep her and the family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

Viewing
Date/Time: Monday, June 30, 2025, 9:30am
Ramsey Funeral Home
5600 Williams Dr
Georgetown, TX 78663

Funeral Services with Police Honors:
Date/Time: Monday, June 30, 2025, 10:30am
Ramsey Funeral Home
5600 Williams Dr
Georgetown, TX 78663

Internment with Military Honors:
Date/Time: Monday, June 30, 2025, 1:00pm
Central Texas Veterans Cemetery
11463 TX-195
Killeen, TX 76542

06/17/2025

It is with great sadness that we share the sad news about the passing of Sergeant Micheal “Mike” King (AP4127). He passed away this afternoon due to medical complications. Please keep the entire King family and Sgt. King’s team-Crisis Intervention – in your thoughts and prayers.

We know this unexpected loss will be deeply felt throughout our entire Department. Please remember to check in on one another. If you need support, members of our Wellness Division are here for you.

If you would like to support the King family, contributions can be made through the Austin Police Benevolent Foundation.

05/27/2025

It is with a heavy heart that we inform you of the passing of Retired Sergeant David Huebel #315.

Sgt Huebel passed away on Monday, May 19, 2025 at the age of 84. Sgt Huebel, a U.S. Army National Guard Veteran, began his law enforcement career with the Austin Police Department as a Jailer in 1962 before joining APD’s 28th Cadet Class in 1964. Sgt Huebel was commissioned on January 8, 1965, and worked as a Patrolman until his promotion to Sergeant in 1974. Over the next 21 years, Sgt Huebel worked in various assignments to include Organized Crime and CIB until his retirement in 1994 after 30 years of service.

Sgt. Huebel is survived by his two sisters, niece, and nephews.

Visitation and Funeral with police honors are as follows:

Monday, June 2, 2025

Viewing and Rosary with Police Honors

Location:
Beck Funeral Home
15709 Ranch Rd 620
Round Rock, TX 78717

Viewing
6 p.m. - 6:45 p.m.

Police Honors
6:45 p.m.

Rosary
7 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Tuesday, June 3, 2025

Funeral Service
Location:
St. William’s Catholic Church
620 Round Rock West
Round Rock, TX 77681
Time: 10 a.m.

Internment to follow at
Our Lady of the Rosary Cemetery and Prayer Garden
330 Berry Ln
Georgetown, TX 78626

05/12/2025

It is with a heavy heart that we inform you of the passing of Retired Senior Police Officer Steven Slavik. Steven began his career in law enforcement in 1991 with the Austin Police Department Hospital Police. In 1995 after the hospital was sold to Seton, Steven transferred to the Austin City Marshals office until October 2005 when it became a part of the Public Safety Emergency Management (PSEM). In January 2009, PSEM became a part of APD where Steven remained in Court Services until his retirement in 2016.

Visitation and Funeral with police honors are as follows:

Visitation:
Sunday May 18, 2025
4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Pennington Funeral Home
323 North Comanche Street
San Marcos, Texas 78666

Funeral Service:
Monday May 19, 2025
2 p.m.
First United Methodist Church
129 West Hutchison Street
San Marcos, Texas 78666

Police Honors following the funeral service.

05/06/2025

Detective Israel “Izzy” Garcia #6645 (MC64) passed away on Saturday morning, May 3, 2025, at the age of 54. Izzy started his career in law enforcement in 1993 as a Corrections Officer with Dewitt County Sheriff’s Office. In 1994, Izzy became a Police Officer and worked for York Town Police Department before moving on to Lockhart Police Department. In 2001, Izzy started his career with the City of Austin under PSEM (Public Safety Emergency Management) where he worked at the Airport as well as Park Police before merging with the Austin Police Department in 2009 with the 117th Cadet Class. Throughout Izzy’s career, he spent the majority of his time on patrol in South Austin. In 2014, Izzy was selected to join the APD Motors Unit, which was the highlight of his career where he remained as an active member of the Motors Auxiliary Unit . Recently, Izzy promoted to the rank of Corporal where he went back to his roots on patrol with the David 700’s until his latest assignment as a Detective with the Downtown area DARRT Unit. Izzy is survived by his wife, Michelle, daughters Kailee and Karisa, stepchildren Samuel and Daphnie, grandsons Wyatt and Braxton.

Final Patrol:
When: Friday, May 9, 2025
Location & Time: South Sub processional slow pass at 8:15a.m. - 8:20 a.m.

Visitation:
Bannockburn Church
Private/Family: 9 - 9:45 a.m.
Public: 9:45 – 10:55 a.m.

Funeral Details
When: Friday, May 9, 2025
Time: 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Where: Bannockburn Church
7100 Brodie Ln, Austin, TX

* Overflow parking is the Northwest parking lot. (Map Attached.)

**Southwest parking lot is reserved for family, Motors, and Police Honors.

Police Honors:
Bannockburn Church parking lot