Parents of man killed in hate crime, teach hate crime course to APD

APD hate crime training

The Austin Police Department was among many law enforcement agencies at an anti-hate crime training course.

AUSTIN, Texas - Back in 1998, Matthew Shepard was a 21-year old student at the University of Wyoming and had many goals in life. But his life was tragically cut short when he was beaten, tied to a fence and left to die in the cold.

His parents say it was all because Matthew was a gay man and this was a hate crime.

“We can't understand as parents, we have two sons one who is straight and Matt who was gay, why they aren't considered equal? Our straight son has more rights and privileges than our gay son,” said Dennis Shepard, Matthew’s father.

“We felt we owed it to Matt to try and make a change as long as we had a voice,” said Judy Shepard, Matthew’s mom.

Shortly after their son's death, Judy and Dennis created the Matthew Shepard Foundation to honor his life...and three years ago they started an advanced hate crimes training course for law enforcement. “We go around the country to give training to law enforcement agencies who want the training. We are educating them on the different laws involving hate crimes, how they can be used, how they can't be used,” said Dennis.

They made a stop in Austin, giving the Austin Police Department, the Travis County District Attorney’s Office and many more agencies an in-depth course on having constructive interactions with victims of hate crimes, and also fighting for justice in the court system. “It can mean from the initial report, how that relationship is begun. If that initial officer gets on scene and that individual doesn't believe what they are saying is being believed by the officer or isn't being treated with proper dignity and respect, that case is going to go nowhere,” said Sgt. Michael Crumrine, with the Austin Police Department.

Trainers also told police what it is they need to bring to prosecutors to make a strong case for a hate crime.

This is the first advanced course of its kind for APD...and the Shepards continue to hope their son is smiling from above, at their efforts. “He'd be very proud. We are not just advocating for the LGBTQ community, it's for all the marginalized communities.