Family of Raleigh officer killed in Hedingham shooting receives mortgage-free home
The family of a fallen Raleigh police officer has been blessed with a mortgage-free home.
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The 29-year-old officer left behind his wife, Jasmin, and their daughter, Layla.
In a ceremony on Saturday, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation welcomed the family into their new home.
Torres was on his way to work when he was shot and killed near his home.
“There are some things in life that you just do not expect to happen," said Jasmin Torres. "I never expected to tragically lose my husband last October. I did, however, expect our normal routine. He was supposed to make it to work alive … come home alive. He did not get that chance.”
The foundation contacted Jasmin to arrange to build the home, located in Johnston County. Stephen Siller Jr. with Tunnel to Towers joined the family for the ceremony.
“When the ache in my heart slightly settled, my brain kicked into overdrive. How will I do this? All these bills, our home, our future? I began to realize that our dreams and goals were now further out of reach. Tunnel to Towers helped restore my diminished confidence to tackle life head-on with my daughter. The unexpected happened again, this time in the most incredible way ever,” said Jasmin.
Torres was remembered as a man of faith, a family man, a husband and a father. After serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, Torres joined Raleigh police in March of 2021 and earned a letter of commendation for an arrest. Prior to that, Torres helped victims of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico in 2017.
Raleigh Police Chief Estella Patterson expressed gratitude for the foundation's gift.
“The Raleigh Police Department is extremely grateful for the love, benevolence, and support Tunnel to Towers has given to Jasmin and Layla. Their commitment to honor the lives of our fallen heroes and their families across the nation is remarkable,” said Chief Patterson.
“None of us can ever replace the hole that Gabe left in this family and in this world, but we can honor him and carry on his legacy of service. In Galatians 6, we are called to “Carry each other’s burdens...” and hopefully today will ease part of Jasmin and Layla’s burden ... a safe place for Layla to grow up, a place where family always has a place to stay, and a place where friends and family can come to honor the life and service of Gabe,” said Major Brian Harrison.
The Tunnel to Towers Fallen First Responder Program pays off the mortgages for the families of law enforcement officers and firefighters who are killed in the line of duty, pass away from 9/11-related illnesses, and leave behind young children.
“Officer Torres dedicated his life to his country, community, and family. He served in the Marines before serving the citizens of Raleigh. He is a hero, and I am honored to welcome his family into our family and provide them with a forever home,” said Tunnel to Towers Chairman and CEO Frank Siller.
Jasmin says her husband would be speechless by the support she has received.
“I know he would be so thankful that his girls are being taken care of; he worked so hard to do that for us himself,” she said.
The foundation provides mortgage-free homes to Gold Star and fallen first responder families with young children and by building specially-adapted smart homes for catastrophically injured veterans and first responders.
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