A lasting impact

Dear Austin Chief of Police,

This email today is in regard to Austin officer Rachel Stahlke. I've waited almost two years to send this email. I wanted to be able to paint a broader picture of the impact that she has had on my son and I. In 2022 my 19 year old son and his girlfriend were involved in a hit and run crash on North Lamar. They were on his motorcycle as it was struck and went airborne and came down and slid across the pavement causing serious injuries. Officer Stahlke was one of the first officers on the scene. She stayed with my son on the scene and went to the hospital with them. She called me at work and promised me she wouldn't leave him. This meant so much to me as I was hearing his piercing cries in the background and didn't know what kind of condition he was in. When I arrived she met me at the ER doors and stayed with us until she knew he was stable. She was a Godsend on that June day. And her kindness has made such a tremendous impact on us.

Through all the trials since that day including painful therapy sessions and a long road of healing my son has accomplished so much. He graduated in September 2023 from TSTC as an Electrical Lineman but more notably the highest honor Board of Regents. He was recruited and went right to work in Reno, Nevada to begin his Journeyman. Though this experience has been the biggest challenge of his life, he had the right support at the right time. We will never forget Officer Stahlke's kindness, concern, or steadfast support through a life changing event. Please commend her and let her know how much of an impact she has had in our life. Her light shone brightly on us that day and for that we will forever be grateful.