LEANDER, Texas — A retired Austin police officer was killed in a head-on crash in Leander on Sunday morning.
According to the Leander Police Department, at approximately 11:50 a.m. on Nov. 12, police responded to a rollover crash at the 8600 block of RM 2243.
Police said a westbound Ford Excursion had a mechanical/tire-related issue and crossed the double yellow center lane divider, striking an eastbound Chevrolet Silverado head-on. The Silverado then rolled off the road.
The driver of the Chevrolet, identified as 51-year-old Ray Shillito, was pronounced dead on the scene. The driver of the Ford stayed on the scene and spoke with officers. No charges have been filed at this time.
Shillito was a current City of Austin employee with the Development Services Department’s Code Compliance Team. He had recently retired from the Austin Police Department.
Leander police continue to investigate the crash. No other information has been released.
The incident happened a day after the loss of APD Officer Jorge Pastore, who was killed during a SWAT callout in South Austin on Saturday morning.
"It's a tragic weekend for Austin, obviously, a tragic weekend for the Austin Police Department family," Dennis Farris, president of the Austin Police Retired Officers Association, told KVUE on Monday.
Farris said this is a difficult time for officers, which he calls a brotherhood.
"It’s going to be a tough week and a tough time afterwards," he said.
Farris said the police department does have a peer support system and resources available.
"Officers that go around to make sure everybody is OK," Farris said about the support network. "We have a very good chaplain core at the department also. And then they have each other, people that will talk and reminisce."