On December 24, 2000, Aubrey Wright Hawkins, a 29-year-old male police officer with the Irving Police Department in Texas, was tragically shot and killed. Officer Hawkins, who had served with the Irving Police Department for 15 months, responded to a robbery-in-progress call at Oshman's Sporting Goods Store. Upon arriving at the scene, he interrupted seven suspects who were in the process of tying up store employees.
The suspects opened fire on Officer Hawkins, killing him instantly.
The suspects were later identified as members of a group known as the Texas 7, who had escaped from a Texas prison two weeks prior to the incident. The escapees had taken over a guard tower and stolen several weapons. Following Officer Hawkins' murder, a massive manhunt ensued, which ended with the capture of six of the suspects and the suicide of the seventh. All six surviving suspects were convicted of capital murder and sentenced to death. Four of them have since been executed, and the remaining two are still on death row.
Officer Hawkins was survived by his wife, Lori, and his young son, Andrew. The community deeply mourned his loss, and in his honor, Aubrey Hawkins Lane was dedicated in Irving. The tragic incident not only highlighted the dangers faced by law enforcement officers but also led to significant media coverage and a renewed focus on prison security and the treatment of inmates.
The legacy of Officer Hawkins continues to be remembered, and his sacrifice serves as a poignant reminder of the bravery and dedication of police officers who put their lives on the line every day to protect and serve their communities.
