Nonpro t
BY BRITTANY ANDERSON
Jorge (left) and Kim Pastore. Before moving to Austin in 2019, Jorge worked as a re ghter paramedic in Florida.
Jorge Pastore, pictured, was killed in November 2023 while responding to an Austin Police Department SWAT hostage call.
PHOTOS COURTESY JORGE PASTORE FOUNDATION
Jorge Pastore Foundation bolsters law enforcement
Jorge with best friend and SWAT team member Mike Castillo.
Kim Pastore is honoring the legacy of her late husband Jorge through the Jorge Pastore Founda- tion, which seeks to provide training opportunities for law enforcement, promote mental and physical wellness for o cers, and bridge the gap between o cers and the community. The backstory Before moving to Austin in 2019, Jorge and Kim owned a karate school in Florida. Jorge also worked as a re ghter paramedic and was passionate about tactical training. After joining the Austin Police Department, Jorge eventually earned a spot on the Special Weapons and Tactics team, or SWAT. On Nov. 11, 2023, Jorge and the APD SWAT team were responding to a hostage rescue call when he was shot and killed by the perpetrator. “Shortly after his death, and with feeling like I could go one of two ways—and I didn’t want to go the ‘never leave my room’ way—I was like, let’s try to do something in his honor, to remember him, and something he’d be proud of,” Kim said. Diving in deeper One of the foundation’s goals is to create a state- of-the-art training facility in the Austin area. Kim said many Central Texas o cers have to travel to attend trainings, which are sometimes canceled due to lack of space or funding. The better trained o cers there are, Kim said, the
less likely they are to “get into altercations or make some poor choices.” “We agree that we need police o cers, but let’s get them more training and get them better pre- pared to do this di cult job that not many people are willing to do,” Kim said. The facility is looking to include: • A realistic space to run through scenarios and improve tactical skills • Wellness programs • Mentorship opportunities • O ce space for debrie ng sessions and education Speci c plans for the facility are still a work in progress, Kim said. In the meantime, the foundation has already hosted pistol and ri e classes with local o cers, and is also looking at implementing defensive and tactical classes. What happens next? The foundation will host its Humble Warrior Games at Reveille Peak Ranch in Burnet on Nov. 10. The event will feature a 5K trail run, team obstacle challenge and tactical activities. “We’re trying to make it a day where we’re raising funds and awareness for the foundation and funds for our 2025 training initiatives while also creating a space for the rst responder community, along with civilians, to hang out and enjoy each other’s space and camaraderie,” Kim said. “That was very important to Jorge.”
Jorge with best friend and police partner Felix Perez.
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Humble Warrior Games • Nov. 10 • $35 (in-person and virtual 5K), $50 (obstacle course team challenge)
105 County Road 114, Burnet www.jpastorefoundation.org
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