A police officer died early Sunday after she got out of her patrol car to chase a suspect on foot and was run over by her partner.
Officer Amy Donovan was on patrol late Saturday when she and her partner, Officer Adrian Valdovino, saw someone engaged in "suspicious activity," said Police Chief Stan Knee.
Donovan jumped from the car to question the man but he fled on foot. The suspect escaped.
Valdovino put the car in reverse to try to stop the man and the car struck Donovan, the chief said.
Donovan, 37, is the first female Austin Police Department officer to die in the line of duty, officials said.
She had four children and had left a career as an investment banker to become an officer, Knee said. She graduated in the top 10 percent of her cadet class in June. Valdovino was one of her classmates.
"Amy took to heart the responsibility of being a commissioned police officer in this community," Knee told reporters.
Knee said the department has started an investigation that will include a review of the way officers handle foot pursuits.
Valdovino was placed on leave until the investigation is completed.