AUSTIN (KXAN) — On the eve of his son’s public memorial, the father of fallen Austin Police Officer Amir Abdul-Khaliq spoke publicly for the first about his son’s death and the woman who ran into him.
Amir Abdul-Khaliq Sr. started by acknowledging everyone who has shown their support (and plenty of hugs) over the past week, from the medical staff at University Medical Center Brackenridge to the motorcycle department his son was so happy to be a part of.
“We were blessed with a son that came and served such a great city and he gave his life for it. We are American Muslims and we know this is a great country,” said Abdul-Khaliq Sr. of his first-born son, whose nickname was “captain.” Officer Abdul-Khaliq Jr. followed his father’s footsteps into the military and joined the Marine Corps. While he never made it to captain in the military, his father says he’ll “always be our captain.”
While the officer was hospitalized for the four days, his father says he was “revitalized” four times and it was hard for the family every single time. For his wife, the death of her son has been hard and it reminded him of Abdul-Khaliq Jr.’s birth. “He gave her a rough time going out and it took him 23 hours to get here when he came in. Her water broke and 23 hours later, he was born.”
When asked about the Ana Prado, 51, the woman who cut through the procession and hit the officer, Abdul-Khaliq Sr. only had words of forgiveness and grace.
“I’m sure it wasn’t on purpose, and may God bless her and not make it too hard on her. It was an accident,” said Abdul-Khaliq Sr. “I’m sure she’s not good about this at all. So, I pray for her.”Thursday’s procession route
Austin police warn there will be rolling closures along the procession route. Expect heavy traffic and delays for an extended period of time Thursday morning.
- The procession will leave the Delco Center after the memorial service, following Springdale to Tuscany Way
- From Tuscany Way, it will turn left on Highway 290, going westbound to the I-35 flyover
- The procession will go south on I-35 past APD Headquarters
- Once the procession goes over the Lady Bird Lake bridge, it will be concluded
