AUSTIN, Texas — Austin ISD is mourning the sudden loss of one of its own.
The Austin ISD Police Department said Thomas "TJ" Hernandez passed away Thursday morning following a medical emergency at his home the night before.
Officials said Hernandez passed away at a hospital in South Austin surrounded by his loving family and department command staff.
According to Austin ISD police, Hernandez worked for the district for many years as an elementary school clerk and high school security monitor before he was hired as a dispatcher. He later attended the CAPCOG Regional Training Academy before graduating in July 2016. He would then be sworn in as a police officer in August 2016.
Hernandez hung up his duty belt due to medical complications before he returned as a dispatch supervisor in November 2022.
Austin ISD police ask that the community keep Hernandez's family in their thoughts.
"TJ… Thank you for your many years of service to Austin ISD students, staff, and families. Thank you for your honorable duty as a police officer, and for always watching our backs and ensuring officer safety while at the console. Godspeed, TJ… we have the watch..," the district posted on Facebook.