Round Rock Police, with assistance from multiple agencies, continue to lead the investigation into the killing of Sgt. Craig Hutchinson of the Travis County Sheriff’s Office. Hutchinson was killed in the backyard of his Round Rock West home on Monday, July 25.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Round Rock Police tip line at 512-671-2767. A total of $50,000 in reward money has been confirmed. The latest contributions are $2,500 from the Round Rock Association of Professional Firefighters, and $10,000 from the Austin Police Association.

The firefighters association is also donating $2,500 to the Sheriffs Memorial and Benevolent Society of Travis County on behalf of Hutchinson and his family.

Previous donations include $15,000 from the Office of the Governor Greg Abbott, up to $10,000 from the U.S. Marshals Service, $10,000 from Circuit of The Americas and $5,000 from Judge Kevin Madison for information leading to the identification and arrest of the suspect(s).

To be eligible for the cash rewards from the Office of the Governor, anyone with information on fugitives can provide anonymous tips in three different ways:

• Call the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-252-TIPS (8477)
• Text the letter DPS – followed by your tip – to 274637 (CRIMES) from your cell phone
• Submit a web tip by clicking the link here (also available in the “About” section of the Texas 10 Most Wanted Facebook page under “Submit a Tip”)

At 1:22 a.m. Monday, July 25, Travis County Sheriff’s Office dispatch received radio communication from Sgt. Hutchinson, who had gone off duty moments earlier. Hutchinson notified hem he had prowlers in his yard in the 2000 block of Oak Meadow Drive and requested they send Round Rock Police to assist him.

At 1:36 a.m., officers found Sgt. Hutchinson near a creek behind his back yard with a gunshot wound. Hutchison, known to the Travis County Sheriff’s family as “Hutch,” was immediately transported to St. David’s Round Rock Medical Center, where he was pronounced deceased.

A joint investigation between Round Rock Police and the Travis County Sheriff’s Office is under way. Help is needed from the public in identifying and locating the suspects involved in the crime.

Sgt. Hutchinson has been with the Sheriff’s Office for 32 years, and was set to retire in September. In his press conference this morning, Sheriff Greg Hamilton described Hutchinson as a “gentle bear,” who stood about 6 feet, 4 inches tall and weighed 270 pounds.

Round Rock Mayor Alan McGraw issued the following statement on Monday afternoon:

“To lose any resident, and especially one who dedicated his life to protecting others, is heartbreaking. On behalf of the City Council and staff of the City of Round Rock, we offer our deepest condolences to the family, friends and co-workers of Sgt. Craig Hutchinson. You are in our thoughts and prayers.”

The City has illuminated the Prete Main Street Plaza in blue lights in remembrance of Sgt. Hutchinson.