SAN MARCOS, Texas — The San Marcos and Hays County communities continue to mourn the loss of fallen officer Justin Putnam. The five year San Marcos Police veteran was killed April 18 while responding to a domestic disturbance.
Putnam's body was returned home from Austin to a funeral home in San Marcos Monday, as several law enforcement agencies the community members looked on.
San Marcos Police Department post thanked the public for showing up to pay their respects.
"Our heavy burdens were briefly lifted by the warmth and love of this community and all of Hays County and beyond," the Facebook post read. "Throngs of caring people - all ages, backgrounds and genders - waited in the roasting sun for hours to watch the police procession that brought our fallen hero, Officer Justin Putnam, home to San Marcos. Today, we stood as one despite being spread across more than 20 miles. From the bottom of our broken hearts, thank you all."
Outside of San Marcos City Hall sits Putnam's patrol car with flowers and other sentimental items scattered around, serving as a public memorial.
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A man touches a San Marcos Police vehicle. (Stacy Rickard/Spectrum News)
San Marcos Fire Chief Les Stephens shared a Facebook post giving insight to how law enforcement officers on the scene felt Saturday evening, saying "We’ve been here before.... that’s what i kept thinking as the swat team guys assembled to make entry and while there was still a glimmer of hope that Officer Putnam was alive..." the post reads. "It’s a flood of adrenaline and emotion that you can’t describe. Every person laser focused on his or her assignment/mission, very little talking. Professionals waiting to do what they’ve trained their whole life to do. Then, in just a few short seconds a new reality is confirmed, another officer lost. A servant of the people taken from us by someone he was there to serve and protect."
As a Texas State graduate, SMPD Interim Chief Bob Klett said "he understood what it took to police a wonderfully diverse community like San Marcos and a college community.”
Several areas around town have chosen to place blue ribbons on trees, and create additional signs of support for Putnam. Blanco Vista Neighborhood, where Putnam was a resident, has placed blue lights at the entrance in honor of Putnam.
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A gateway that reads "Welcome to Blanco Vista." (Photo Credit Courtney Booth)
Putnam's sister Kelsea and brother Blair shared several posts to Facebook honoring their late brother. "I love you forever big brother. You protected me here on earth and I know you will continue to protect me in Heaven," Kelsea's post says. Blair's post included several personal photos of Putnam, with a heartbreaking caption that reads in part, "My heart immediately shattered into a million pieces. I was supposed to be your Best Man in seven months. I was going to watch you marry the perfect woman who I’ve been best friends with for the past ten years. This isn’t how it was supposed to go."
Putnam's fiancé Silvana also shared a touching tribute to Instagram. The pair was engaged to be married this November. Silvana's post says "His personality made me fall in love with him from day one. His dedication and motivation to be in law enforcement since that day reminds me that he left us being a... hero. I’m so proud of you."
Putnam and Silvana's engagement photos can be seen on Instagram in a heartfelt post from their photographer, Taylor Prinsen. She says, "My heart is absolutely broken for Silvana, for the family, for the life cut short, for the fragility of all of this. I found out by looking at the news and seeing these engagement photos I shot only a few months ago flash across the screen and instantly fell to my knees."
Putnam's former Round Rock ISD Westwood High School coach is remembering the time spent with Putnam, who he called an "unbelievable athlete."
“He’s one of those kids that you truly appreciated getting to coach because you knew you were going to get his best every time he was out there," coach Anthony Wood said. "The profession he ended up choosing, I could absolutely see why he chose that because of the type of characteristics and abilities that he displayed."
Remembering him 14 years later, Wood said Putnam was a special player. From 2003-2006, Putnam lettered in football and soccer, and was an All-State Kicker and Punter.
“That team that he was on was such a special team. It was the first time that a football team at Westwood had ever won a playoff game in 25 years. And so that group was one that, as a coaching staff, that we truly remembered," Wood said. “I still see him on the field as we're talking, ‘just let me kick the ball, coach. Just let me kick it, I'll make it. Just let me kick it.’ He was, just like the rest of those guys, he was truly a special kid.”
Wood attended Putnam’s police academy graduation back in 2014. And while it’s been a couple years since they’d talked, Wood wants the Putnam family to know he’s thinking of them.
“It's just something that's tragic that you wish wouldn't happen but unfortunately it happens more than it should," Wood said. “I just feel so bad for them. And there's really not much I can say, but I just wanted to let them know that, you know, Justin does hold a special place in my heart.”
The City of San Marcos has set up a donation fund for Putnam's family and the two injured officers, Franco Stewart and Justin Mueller. Online donations can be made at this website.