Editor’s note: The above video is a KXAN file clip from April 20, 2020 covering a memorial held for fallen San Marcos Police Officer Justin Putnam.
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin City Council will consider Thursday the possible renaming of a northwest Austin roadway in honor of native Austinite and fallen San Marcos Police Officer Justin Putnam, who was killed in the line of duty in April 2020.
Putnam graduated from Westwood High School back in 2007, later attending Texas State University before joining the San Marcos Police Department in November 2014, per council documents. Putnam was killed on April 18, 2020, while responding to a domestic violence call; as of that time, he was the second officer “to pay the ultimate sacrifice to protect his community,” SMPD shared on his memorial page.
“We lost a fine young man, a faithful officer and a friend,” then-Interim Police Chief Bob Klett said, per the SMPD memorial page.
In honor of his memory, council could vote to rename a portion of Mellow Meadow Drive — between Lake Creek Parkway and Hymeadow Drive — to Officer Justin Putnam Drive. The roadway is located near Westwood High School, “where Officer Putnam began his journey toward a life of service,” city documents read.
Following council action, city leadership will work across department to help with the honorary street name dedication, including communicating with area residents, businesses and the Round Rock Independent School District to “minimize disruption.”
If approved, a formal dedication ceremony will be scheduled to commemorate the renaming.
