Their son was killed by a University of the Incarnate Word police officer, miles from the UIW Campus. Cameron Redus, who was unarmed, was shot five times.
"Well, it was every parent's worst nightmare, which you always hear about, and never dream would happen to you," said Cameron Redus' father, Mickey Redus.
The shooting in San Antonio led to an early morning knock at the door from police in Baytown, and crushing news for Cameron's parents Mickey and Valerie Redus.
"After they left, I began to make my way upstairs to do the most awful thing I've ever had to do, and that was to go up, and tell Valerie that our son was dead," said Mickey Redus.
"We just all stood there, upstairs, in the middle of the hallway and just cried and cried," said Valerie Redus
Cameron Redus was shot and killed after an apparent scuffle with UIW Officer Corporal Christopher Carter. According to an Alamo Heights police report, Carter was trying to pull Redus over, suspecting he was drunk. He followed him all the way to his apartment.
Months later you can still see where Cameron's body was lying. Police acid-washed the spot on the sidewalk just feet from Redus' second-floor apartment.
"The pain is if anything, more real than ever. The waking up in the middle of the night, laying there and thinking about it all day long, trying to find answers that just aren't there," said Mickey Redus.
"Now, it's like it was all Cameron's fault. And I want them, I want them to take responsibility for what, for what their employee has done," said Valerie Redus.
The Redus family has filed a civil lawsuit against Incarnate Word and Cpl. Carter, in part to get answers. They know there's audio and video tape from the crime scene, but they've yet to see it, they've only seen the autopsy report, showing the violent way their son died.
"We want to see justice done. We want answers, we want to, we want to preserve Cameron's name and his reputation," said Mickey Redus.
Meanwhile they hold onto the pictures and memories of a son lost, and they have a message for Incarnate Word President Lou Agnese.
"I really believe that you sincerely want this to be made right, so please do what you can, use your influence," said Mickey Redus.
"I truly believe the compassion in his heart was just, his heart was breaking for us, I truly believe that," said Valerie Redus.
They want Incarnate Word to examine their policies and procedures, to ensure this never happens again.
UIW chose not to comment for the story.