KENDALL COUNTY, Texas – More than $8,000 and counting has been donated to Deputy Carlos Ramirez's family after he was killed while in the line of duty Tuesday morning.
Ramirez and his partner pulled over a vehicle on Interstate 10 near mile marker 533 and during that traffic stop, a passing driver struck and killed Ramirez.
During a news conference Wednesday, Sheriff Al Auxier said Ramirez's partner was injured but has since been released from a hospital and is recovering at home.
RELATED: Kendall County deputy fatally struck by passing driver during traffic stop, sheriff says
The Texas Department of Public Safety is still investigating the crash and interviewing the driver who fatally struck Ramirez, Auxier said.
Auxier said the driver, who was pulled over, was treated and subsequently released.
SHERIFF PROVIDES UPDATE IN DEATH OF KENDALL COUNTY DEPUTY
Rina Grona, director of 100 Club of Kendall County, said almost immediately after the devastating news, they began receiving an influx of calls, text and Facebook messages asking how to help Ramirez's family.
In response, the Kendall County Sheriff's Office and Boerne Police Department will be open 24/7 to accept donations in the form of checks that can be made out to the 100 Club of Kendall County. The city of Boerne Fire Department and Fair Oaks Police Department will also be accepting donations during their lobby hours.
Grona said the 100 Club of Kendall County also created a donation fundraiser on its Facebook page, and "every penny (anyone) contributes will be sent to the family."
Ramirez leaves behind a wife and two children, Ava, 7, and Alex, 11.
To show their appreciation, the Ramirez family released the following statement:
"We would like to give more thanks to the community for their love and continued support to our family. We would like to thank the Kendall County Sheriff's Office for their continued gratitude and devotion shown to our family. We ask that you continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers."
Ramirez had been with the Kendall County Sheriff's Office since 2016, and was also a military reservist who had just returned in April from a deployment to Africa.