APD honors fallen constable

AUSTIN (KXAN) - The Austin Police Department will play a special role in the funeral of the constable killed in Monday's shootings in College Station.

Austin officers who play in the Bagpipe and Drum band will participate in the Saturday funeral for Brian Bachmann, killed while trying to serve an eviction notice to College Station resident Thomas Caffall, 35.

"It's a very real part of our life that this can occur at any time," said APD Sgt. Tim Kresta. "It reminds us of the bond that we share."

Kresta is a volunteer with the APD Honor Guard, a group of officers who travel to funerals across Texas for officers killed in the line of duty.

"It's a calling in its own way," said Kresta, who helped plan the funeral for fallen APD Senior Officer Jaime Padron in April.

Kresta said the support from law enforcement officers across the country was especially comforting as APD officers mourned Padron, who was shot to death in North Austin Wal-Mart.

"All of that support that came out afterwards- what it did for us- it doesn't make the pain go away but it does assist them in moving forward," said Kresta. "In our time of grief it really brings us a lot of peace."

In 2011, the APD Honor Guard attended 12 line of duty death funerals. Constable Bachmann's funeral Saturday will be the sixth this year. Kresta said showing support by showing up helps departments heal.

"We feel your loss, we really do. Losing our officer, it cut deep. It really did," said Kresta.

Funeral services for Bachmann will be open to the public and will be held Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. at Reed Arena on the Texas A&M campus.