This is part of my ongoing series Officer Down – in honour of police officers slain in the line of duty.

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On July 28, 2021, while responding to a serious injury traffic call, Austin Police Department Officer Lewis “Andy” Traylor was critically injured when a tractor-trailer made a U-Turn in front of his cruiser. Officer Traylor’s vehicle slammed into the tractor-trailer, pinning him underneath.

Emergency responders successfully extricated the wounded officer from the crash and rushed him to hospital, where Officer Traylor battled for his life for three days.

On July 31, 2021, Officer Traylor’s fight for life ended. He passed away on Saturday evening.

On Sunday, August 1st, a procession in honour of the fallen officer was held in Austin. The procession left Dell Seton Medical Centre at 9am, when officers escorted Officer Traylor’s body to the Travis County Medical Examiner’s Office.

It is with a heavy heart that I inform you Senior Police Officer Lewis “Andy” Traylor #7258 – C708, who was involved in a tragic on-duty crash early Wednesday morning in Central East Austin, has succumbed to his injuries.

He had a heart for service and he put his life on the line for this community and ultimately made the ultimate sacrifice. We honor him today. And we will honor him tomorrow and we will honor him always going forward.

– Interim Austin Police Chief Joseph Chacon

Officer Lewis “Andy” Traylor was a veteran of the United States Navy and a 9-year veteran with the Austin Police Department.

Officer Traylor is survived by his wife and five children.

If you are able, please donate to Austin Cops 4 Charities to support Officer Traylor’s family as they grieve the loss of their husband and father: http://austinc4c.com/join.shtml