'I tried to save you:' Wife of fallen officer Gabriel Torres describes their final moments together
An emotional funeral and procession in Raleigh on Saturday afternoon as hundreds gathered to honor the life of Officer Gabriel Torres, who was killed during the mass shooting in Raleigh's Hedingham neighborhood.
Officer Torres was remembered Saturday morning as a believer, a family man, a husband and a father.
His flag-draped casket was placed on a caisson and pulled through the parking lot of Cross Assembly Church in Raleigh. Once inside the church, His wife Jasmin Torres shared their love story, recalled sweet and challenging moments throughout their lifetimes, and how she said goodbye.
"Thursday, October 13, 2022 is by far the hardest day of my life," said Jasmin Torres
October 13th was the day Torres and 4 others were killed in the Headingham neighborhood. The 29-year-old was in his car, about to drive to work when he was ambushed.
During her eulogy at his funeral, she recounted the final moments she had with him – and a frightening account of hearing the gunshots and rushing home to find her husband mortally injured.
"I tried to save you. I wish I could have saved you. I gave my all to try and save you," she said. "I'm sorry if I scared you."
As she was coming around the corner, she said she heard the sound of 'cracks' that didn't make sense at first -- until she realized they were gunshots.
"I didn't know I could scream that loud," she said. "Finding you wounded, with your life slipping away, is a pain too hard to deal with."
When she found him, she said he was alive. She said she didn't know she had such an inner strength and had no idea what she was capable of doing to try and save the life of someone she loved.
"I’m glad you were still with me long enough so that I could kiss your skin while it was still warm," she said, crying. "While I could still feel the pulse of your heart."
A silent and emotional audience of grievers listened as she said, "I hope you heard me when I told you I loved you."
A love story that overcame distance and challenges
Jasmin Torres shared the highlights of their life together, telling their love story there on the stage in front of his flag-draped casket.
From her story, it was clear Officer Torres had a heart for service – and for family.
In 2016, she said, he joined the Marine Corps, saying he wanted something to be proud of.
"We loved each other with towns and cities between us," she said. "It was a challenge, but we got through it."
When they married in 2018, she believed they could finally be together full-time. She packed her bags and rushed to Jacksonville, NC.
But then her husband left for more training – gone for months. Then, he deployed and was away even longer.
"We loved each other
He went away for more training. Then he deployed. She said they loved each other across states.
In 2020, the couple had a baby girl. They became new parents during a pandemic in a separate state from their family and loved ones. Again, she said, they got through it.
"Oh, Gabe," she said. "I cannot thank you enough for giving me the opportunity to be a mommy. You were the best daddy."
In March of 2021, she said their story brought them to Raleigh, where Officer Torres worked diligently to become a police officer. She said he was so dedicated to his work she had to beg him to take time off. The night shifts were hard, she said, but she was so proud of him.
Despite a lifetime of loving each other across a distance, she said, "This new distance, this once I will struggle with for the rest of my life."
Raleigh officers led her away from Officer Torres' casket and hugged her as she cried.
Through her grief, she thanked everyone who has honored her husband and prayed for her family during this time. She asked her husband not to worry about her and their daughter – but to be at peace.
"Our family down here is much larger than I'd ever have guessed. You'd be so amazed," she said bravely. "I love you. I really love you. We'll get through this."
The service concluded, quietly leaving the church, the family first followed by hundreds of law enforcement from near and far, showing just how much support there is for this officer, his family and law enforcement as a whole.
