Police Officer Aubrey Wright Hawkins

Aubrey Wright Hawkins

Police Officer Aubrey Hawkins was shot and killed after he and another officer responded to a robbery-in-progress at a local sporting goods store.

Officer Hawkins had arrived at the store approximately three minutes after the call was made, and interrupted the suspects who were handcuffing and tying up the store employees. The suspects opened fire on Officer Hawkins, killing him. The seven suspects had escaped from a Texas prison two weeks prior to the incident when they stormed a guard tower and stole several weapons. Capital murder warrants were issued for all seven suspects.

During the search for the suspects, Colorado State Trooper Jason Manspeaker was killed in an automobile accident while responding to investigate a sighting.

Approximately one month after Officer Hawkins' murder, six of the suspects were apprehended and the seventh committed suicide. All six suspects were convicted of Officer Hawkins' murder and sentenced to death. One was executed on August 14, 2008. The leader of the group was executed on February 29, 2012. A third suspect was executed on February 4, 2015, and a fourth was executed on December 6, 2018.

Officer Hawkins had served with the Irving Police Department for 15 months. He had previously served with the Kaufman Police Department and Tarrant County Hospital District Police Department for a total of 4 years. He is survived by his wife and son.

Aubrey Hawkins Lane in Irving was dedicated in his honor.