Holly MatkinRaleigh, NC – The widow of a Raleigh police officer who was murdered in a mass shooting while on his way to work nearly two weeks ago shared heartbreaking details about the final moments she shared with her husband as she tried to save him outside their home.
Jasmin Torres spoke about the couple’s life together and her husband’s tragic murder during his memorial service on Oct. 22, WRAL reported.
Raleigh Police Department (RPD) Officer Gabriel Torres, 29, was inside his car and preparing to leave for work on Oct. 13 when he was fatally shot by a 15-year-old gunman dressed in camouflage.
The teen shot a total of seven people during his rampage, killing five, The News & Observer reported.
The alleged killer remained hospitalized in critical condition late last week, according to the Associated Press.
Hundreds of people gathered for Officer Torres’ memorial service last weekend, WRAL reported.
Jasmin Torres said she recalled hearing the sound of “cracks” as her husband was leaving for work on Oct. 13, but noted it took her a moment to realize it was gunfire.
“Finding you wounded with your life slipping away is a pain too hard to deal with,” she said. “I gave my all to try and save you. I’m sorry if I scared you. I didn’t know I could scream that loud.”
Jasmin Torres said she is thankful she was able to spend one last moment with her husband before he succumbed to his wounds, WRAL reported.
“I’m glad you were still with me long enough so that I could kiss your skin while it was still warm,” the grieving widow said through her tears. “While I could still feel the pulse of your heart.”
“I hope you heard me when I told you I loved you,” she added.
Officer Torres served as a sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps prior to joining the RPD 18 months ago, according to The News & Observer.
Jasmin Torres said she and Officer Torres had been forced to spent time away from one another over the years due to his military deployments and his night shifts at the RPD, but that they always found a way to make things work, the Associated Press reported.
“I am so, so, so, proud of you,” she said during his memorial service. “You were so dedicated to your work. I had to beg you to use your time off. Your night shifts were hard — it created distance — but we got through it.”
“This new distance – this one I will struggle with for the rest of my life,” she added.
Jasmin Torres said her husband was a wonderful father to their two-year-old daughter, WRAL reported.
“I cannot thank you enough for giving me the opportunity to be a mommy,” she said. “You were the best daddy.”
She also assured her husband that he didn’t need to worry about her and their daughter having a lack of support and love, WRAL reported.
“Our family down here is much larger than I’d ever have guessed. You’d be so amazed,” Jasmin Torres said. “I love you. I really love you. We’ll get through this.”
