Officer Ralph Ablanedo was killed in the line of duty during a traffic stop in the 900 block of E. Live Oak Street, Austin, Texas. Officer Ablanedo had ticketed the driver of the car, Sheila Meinert, for driving without a license, then ran a routine check on the passenger, David Lee Powell, who had warrants for misdemeanor theft and hot checks. As Officer Ablanedo spoke on his radio, Powell opened fire with a fully automatic AK-47, penetrating Officer Ablanedo's bulletproof vest. Despite his injuries, Officer Ablanedo was able to give officers a description of the car before he lost consciousness and died. Powell opened fire on a second officer when he was stopped a short time later, and also tossed a hand grenade, which failed to explode. His companion, Meinert, surrendered, and Powell fled on foot, only to be arrested a few hours later at the Travis High School after an extensive manhunt. Powell was eventually convicted of murder and sentenced to death. On June 15, 2010 at 6:19pm Central Time, the execution of Powell was carried out.
(Source: Austin, Texas Police Dept).
(Source: Austin, Texas Police Dept).
Officer Ralph Ablanedo was killed in the line of duty during a traffic stop in the 900 block of E. Live Oak Street, Austin, Texas. Officer Ablanedo had ticketed the driver of the car, Sheila Meinert, for driving without a license, then ran a routine check on the passenger, David Lee Powell, who had warrants for misdemeanor theft and hot checks. As Officer Ablanedo spoke on his radio, Powell opened fire with a fully automatic AK-47, penetrating Officer Ablanedo's bulletproof vest. Despite his injuries, Officer Ablanedo was able to give officers a description of the car before he lost consciousness and died. Powell opened fire on a second officer when he was stopped a short time later, and also tossed a hand grenade, which failed to explode. His companion, Meinert, surrendered, and Powell fled on foot, only to be arrested a few hours later at the Travis High School after an extensive manhunt. Powell was eventually convicted of murder and sentenced to death. On June 15, 2010 at 6:19pm Central Time, the execution of Powell was carried out.
(Source: Austin, Texas Police Dept).
(Source: Austin, Texas Police Dept).
