Mission, Texas, Police Corporal Jose "Speedy" Espericueta couldn't wait to see his 13-year-old son play in his first football game. But unfortunately Espericueta never got the chance after he was killed in the line of duty.
During his son's first football game over the weekend, officers from across south Texas took his father's place. The Mission Police Department, Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office, and US Customs and Border Protection were among a "sea of law enforcement" who went to watch Espericueta's son, Joaquin, play in his first 7th grade football game.
Police Officer Javier Lara told CNN,
"We made a promise to the family that we're gonna be there for special events, being the first football game, we gathered agencies from across the valley to let him know that we're still there, even though his dad's not."
His son was named an honorary captain in the game after a ceremonial coin flip with several officers on the field. There was also a helicopter that flew overhead in Espericueta's honor.