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Kathleen Young is a maintenance worker with the Texas Preservation Board, and is in charge of cleaning the memorial. For her, every stroke of the mop is a caress for a long lost friend.

Little Robert Towne Martinez Jr. grew up on Young's street in East Austin, and she used to watch him play with her daughter. Now, his memory lives on at the Pease memorial.

"We, I talk. I say, ‘Robby, you see me?’" she said. "He had that unconditional love, he didn’t see no color. He was going to be a really good cop."

Martinez's time with the Austin Police Department was short. He was only 26 on Feb. 25, 1989, the day before Young's birthday, when he responded to a call about gunfire. A vehicle crossed in front of him, he swerved to avoid it and was killed.

"The way some of them have to go, you know. God got a plan, had a plan," Young said.

Martinez's name is among the 1,782 etched on the Texas Peace Officers' Memorial. The monument has been around for 11 years, many under Young's care.

However, her mop is no match for the destruction wreaked by the Texas elements.

The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officers' Standards and Education is trying to raise $300,000 to make repairs. No tax dollars are used on the memorial.

"The movement of the ground as well as the leaking of water through the grouting has created a leaching-kind of thing," Executive Director Tim Braaten said. "Basically this is the ultimate sacrifice that 15 to 18 officers make every year, protecting you and I."

Young said she feels Martinez is still protecting her from above, and she hopes his spirit will awaken the generosity of others to help keep up the memorial.

To learn more, click here or call (512) 936-7700.