Round Rock security company supports memorial ride

Round Rock-based home security company Protect America has partnered with the Austin Police Department to sponsor part of a memorial motorcycle ride, to honor the memory of an officer who died on duty last year.

A group of police officers will depart on motorcycle in May to Washington, D.C. where law enforcement officials from across the world will gather to honor fallen officers and their families. Protect America has pledged $6,000 to pay for the motorcycle groups trip back to Austin.

Kris Clauson, Protect America vice president and co-founder, said the companys mission of safety and security goes hand-in-hand with its ties to the police department and donation.

Its important to bring awareness to the sacrifices police officers give on our behalf, he said. They are always here and they are out there putting lives at risk to keep us safe, to keep our families and houses safe so anything we can do to get the community to support them is important.

Another important drive behind the companys donating is its history with one of the officers who will be participating in the memorial ride.

APD officer William Norel worked for Protect America before joining the police academy in 2002 and reached out to the company for a donation, as officers must raise funds for a percentage of the trip. Fewer than 10 motorcycle officers are chosen each year to participate in the 10-day memorial ride and this is Norels first time participating in the trip.

The 2013 ride memorialized Jaime Padron, who was shot and killed in 2012 while on duty.

Protect America has been a very giving and generous company, Norel said. They have no just donated to our cause, but donated to a lot of causes. They are pro-police and very supportive.

Norel said the group of APD officers will be in Washington, D.C to honor Lt. Clay Crabb, who died while on duty in 2013. They plan to also assist his family and other families of fallen officers throughout the week.

Pretty much our main priority is to take care of (Crabbs) family and whatever needs they may have, he said. That includes picking (them) up from the airport and transporting (them) to the hotel.

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Round Rock security company supports memorial ride