Final services for Padron in San Angelo

SAN ANGELO, Texas (KXAN) - One week ago, Officer Jaime Padron lost his life in the line-of-duty.

But for Sgt. Matt Baldwin, time has had a way of standing still.

“This week feels like a dream. It feels like it has been a month long,” said Baldwin, a San Angelo officer who spent 16 years of his life as Padron’s friend and partner.

As he stepped to the podium inside the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church on Friday, Baldwin told the crowd of mourners he shared their hurt, but it was an absolute honor to be speaking in front of them.

In front of him stood a casket and the reason for the pain and honor Baldwin was feeling.

Padron’s casket arrived at the church was greeted by hundreds of men and women in uniform.

“It has been heart-wrenching, but beautiful to see the outpouring of support,” said Baldwin. “There were police officers from Chicago, New York and I’m not even sure where else.”

Nearly 200 of them made the trip from Austin, including Chief Art Acevedo who, for the second time in three days, spoke about Padron’s service and the response from the public.

“The cynics are few and the people who believe in us are many,” said Acevedo as he pointed to the Austin highways lined with supporters on Wednesday as the procession to San Angelo began.

“We will not forget the images on that highway and we will continue to serve you in Jaime’s honor.”

San Angelo streets were also surrounded with supporters on Friday as one last procession led Padron’s casket to his final resting spot where he was buried with marine honors.

Austin PD and San Angelo PD officers led the procession to the cemetery. They may have been wearing different badges, but on Friday, everyone in uniform was as one.

“They hold a closer spot to me now,” said Padron’s former San Angelo partner Bill Bylsma. “Because of the bond we had with Jaime. Nobody can break that.”