HOUSTON - Texas executed “Texas Seven” prison escapee Joseph Garcia 18 years after killing Irving Police Officer Aubrey Hawkins.
Joseph Garcia and six other inmates escaped the Connally Unit on Dec. 13, 2001. On Christmas Eve, the inmates killed Officer Hawkins during a botched robbery outside of Dallas.
The seven were captured in Colorado on Jan. 22, 2001.
Texas executed Garcia, 47, on Tuesday night. Houston’s Thin Blue Line Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club was in Huntsville in support of Hawkins’ family.
“For us, we don’t move on,” said Rico Garcia, TBL Law Enforcement Club President. “We took an oath that won’t forget them or their families.”
Years of appeals, lawsuits and requests for clemency on Joseph Garcia’s behalf were denied.
“They knew what they were doing,” Rico Garcia said. “They knew there was a big chance of violence especially with that many weapons.”
Joseph Garcia is the fourth Texas Seven member to be executed. Larry Harper killed himself before being captured in Colorado. Patrick Murphy Jr. and Randy Halprin are still waiting for their execution dates.