Sunday marked eight years since the tragic ambush in downtown Dallas that claimed the lives of five police officers.
On July 7, 2016, a peaceful demonstration was nearing its end when an armed man exited his SUV and began firing at uniformed police officers. The attack resulted in the deaths of five officers: Brent Thompson of Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) police, and four Dallas Police Department (DPD) officers—Michael Krol, Lorne Ahrens, Michael Smith, and Patrick Zamarripa.
As the gunfire erupted, demonstrators scattered while police officers rushed towards the danger. Nine additional officers and two civilians were injured during the attack, which ended following a tense standoff with the gunman.
“The events of July 7, 2016, forever changed the city of Dallas. It changed law enforcement,” said Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia on Monday morning. “That evening, they did what most could not do—they ran toward danger to keep our city safe.”
Garcia, along with members of DPD, DART, and El Centro Dallas College police departments, gathered for a remembrance ceremony organized by fallen DPD Officer Zamarripa’s father.
“Pat was real humble, giving, patient, kind,” said Rick Zamarripa during the event.
The gathering also honored the selfless actions of others, like DART bus driver Donald Washington.
“He drove a DART bus right out here that night, under a hail of gunfire, loaded it up, and took a lot of people to safety,” said retired state police commissioner Rob Kyker.
El Centro PD Sgt. Bryan Shaw, one of nine officers shot during the rampage, was also in attendance. Despite his injuries, Shaw stayed on during the hunt for the gunman.
“Ladies and gentlemen, you get to meet a lot of heroes, but here’s one tonight that continues to serve right here at El Centro. He still works here,” said Kyker, as Shaw stood with his twin sons and wife Stephanie, receiving a standing ovation.
While their loss is “still sharply felt,” Garcia said the department will forever honor their fallen by “treating individuals with respect, dignity, fairness, and by having no fear of the criminal element. We honor our fallen and in turn, we carry on their legacy.”
