Israel was a hard worker from the beginning. He worked at Wolf’s Supermarket during high school to help the family in any way he could. He graduated from Yorktown High School in 1990. Soon after graduation, he attended the Victoria Police Academy and fulfilled his childhood dream of becoming a police officer. He first worked as a corrections officer for the Dewitt County Sheriff’s Department. In 1994, he became an officer for the Yorktown Police Department under his mentor, Chief Guy Nobles and then moved on to the Lockhart Police Department. In 2001, he started with the City of Austin with Airport Police then the Austin Park Police. He continued his career in Austin and in 2014, he was selected to join the APD Motors Unit. This joined his two passions of motorcycles and policing. He was promoted to Corporal and most recently was a detective in downtown Austin. He participated every year in the Capital of Texas Police Motorcycle Chute Out charity event. He also participated in Blue Santa with APD. He was an active member of the Blue Knights Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club.
Israel was a devoted son, father, husband, brother, uncle, cousin, and grandfather. Known for his generous spirit, he was always willing to lend a helping hand and never hesitated to support anyone in need.
Israel is survived by his wife, Michelle; daughters, Kailee Garcia and Karisa (Jose) Gutierrez; stepdaughter, Daphne Maiorka; stepson, Samuel Maiorka; grandchildren, Wyatt Brown and Braxton Harris; his parents, Glenn and Olga Lassmann; his brothers: Buddy (Tracy) Lassmann and Jordan Garcia; sisters: Lisa (John) St. Clair, Danielle (Kyle) Robertson, Amanda Lassmann, Kristin (Jason) Dye, and Dora Garcia; nephews: Sheldon, Hayden, Brody, and Ty; nieces: Kortney (Dalton), Alyssa, Kennedy, Haylie, Caitlyn, Rebecca, and Lilly; mother-in-law, Lisa Fredette; sisters-in-law: Krystal (Wayne) Linsey and Destiny Fredette; and numerous cousins.
Preceded in death by his father, Reinaldo Garcia; sister, Jackie Garcia; maternal grandparents: Gilberto and Guadalupe Ochoa; Melvin H. and Lorene Lassmann
A public visitation for Israel was held on Friday, May 9, 2025, at Bannockburn Church in Austin, TX and committal service followed at Lockhart Cemetery in Lockhart where he was laid to rest.
In honor of his life, a memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 17th at 10:00am, rosary will begin at 9:00, at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Yorktown, Tx. A reception will immediately follow for family and friends at the Holy Cross Activity Center.