• Home
  • Diocese
  • Bishop Burns
  • Synod
  • Columnists
  • Revista Catolica
  • Vatican
  • Subscribe
The Texas Catholic
The Texas Catholic

Dallas, Texas

Today is Wednesday, March 29, 2023
  • Home
  • Diocese
  • Bishop Burns
  • Synod
  • Columnists
  • Revista Catolica
  • Vatican
  • Subscribe
  • Follow
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Linkedin
    • Instagram
Home
Police

In grief, a community finds unity

Monday, July 18, 2016

Jamie Cummings and his son T.J., 2, visit a memorial in front of the Dallas Police Department headquarters on July 11 in Dallas. Five police officers were killed on July 7 when a sniper opened fire during a protest in downtown Dallas. (KEVIN BARTRAM/Special Contributor)

Jamie Cummings and his son T.J., 2, visit a memorial in front of the Dallas Police Department headquarters on July 11 in Dallas. Five police officers were killed on July 7 when a sniper opened fire during a protest in downtown Dallas. (KEVIN BARTRAM/Special Contributor)

By Anahi Perez Faz
Special to The Texas Catholic

It started with a single candle.

Notes of encouragement, support and heartfelt condolences followed as did streamers, flowers, banners and balloons. A grieving city heaped its well-wishes, its heartache and its unending support upon a pair of squad cars parked in front of the Dallas Police Department headquarters.

The ever-growing mound became more than just a memorial for five Dallas officers who lost their lives when a gunman opened fire at a downtown Black Lives Matter protest on July 7. It became a sign of hope — a symbol of unity.

“I have come to give thanks for everything they have done in Dallas,” Yolanda Miranda of Dallas said.
DPD Detective Albert Sanchez visited the memorial the day after the shooting and was overwhelmed by the support he witnessed, though, he still mourned the death of his comrades.

“I can’t tell how many children have come up to me to give me hugs and shake my hand,” Detective Sanchez said. “Some say they want to be like me when they grow up.”

Covered with stuffed animals, poster boards, thousands of flowers, balloons, wreaths, thank you cards, flags, and police badges of departments around the U.S. and Canada, the two squad cars became unrecognizable. People gathered and took pictures of the growing memorial and mourn for the fallen officers, as the media from various news stations surround the memorial.

The Bravo family drove from Burleson to show their gratitude to not only the fallen officers, but all men and women who wear the uniform.

“We came to show our children the good that can come of people,” German Bravo said. “Something tragic happened, and I want them to see that good always defeats evil.”

Children dropped off superhero toys and letters of recognition are taped to the vehicles. Religious organizations set up boards with messages and faith verses. A man-made wooden cross now lies between the two vehicles with the words of Colossian 1:20, “Peace by the blood of his cross.”

On a business trip from Houston, Ben Terry was staying in the Westin Hotel on July 7. He visited the memorial along with his wife, Sara, who flew into Dallas to be by his side.

“Being so close to the action, hearing it all outside my window,” Terry said. “I wanted to come and honor the people who protected me that night.”

Grace Sunderland and a youth ministry group brought poster boards that offered words of encouragement and a dozen roses. Sunderland hoped many people lean on Christ in this time of grief and tragedy.

“We felt the city was just hurting,” Sunderland said. “We wanted to come out here to show our support and that we are praying for them.”

Other memorials are scattered at police stations around the city. At Dallas Area Rapid Transit headquarters in Oak Cliff, a memorial honors its own, Officer Brent Thompson. People left candles and flowers on the three squad cards as well as a message for the Thompson family.

“The Hall Family thanks all DART Police for your service and sacrifice. May God bless you, R.I.P Brent Thompson,” it read.

At the Lamar Street memorial at police headquarters, people from around the nation and the world continue to visit days after the tragedy. Five black flags with a blue line in the middle now hang near the memorial, representing the lives lost.

A city still mourns, but those fallen officers’ peers press on.

“I expect our brothers and sisters in blue to show up to work and still protect the citizens,” Detective Sanchez said. “We have a job to do.”

  • Tags
  • Dallas Police Department
  • Portraits of Courage
  • The Texas Catholic
Facebook Twitter Google+ LinkedIn Pinterest
Next article Bishop Farrell: Let us be instruments of peace
Previous article Pope calls attack on Nice act of 'blind violence'

Related Posts

City mourns, celebrates lives of fallen officers (VIDEO) Police
Wednesday, July 20, 2016

City mourns, celebrates lives of fallen officers (VIDEO)

Portrait of Courage: Sgt. Michael Smith Police
Wednesday, July 20, 2016

Portrait of Courage: Sgt. Michael Smith

Portrait of Courage: Officer Brent Thompson Police
Wednesday, July 20, 2016

Portrait of Courage: Officer Brent Thompson

Texas Catholic Classics

A look at the five Dallas law enforcement officers who gave their lives while protecting citizens during a mass shooting in downtown Dallas in July 2016.

 

How a child with special needs inspired a high school volleyball team, community and a family who heeded God’s call to protect life.

 

After a young runner collapsed at a Dallas marathon, grace and providence unfolded for those involved in the valiant effort to help her.

   

In the summer of 2016, 50 students and 25 chaperones from Dallas Catholic high schools traveled to Nicaragua for a 10-day mission trip.

 

Early on a November morning, Kenndrick Mendieta bounded from the gym at Cristo Rey Dallas College Prep toward the campus’ athletic fields as clouds lifted on a fresh new day.

 

Subscribe

Get the award-winning Texas Catholic delivered to your door. Use the menu below to subscribe now.


Subscription length




 

Photo Gallery

Click here to find your favorite Texas Catholic photographs.

The Texas Catholic Newspaper

Catholic Diocese of Dallas
Michael Gresham, Editor

3725 Blackburn Street
Dallas, Texas 75219
(214) 379-2800

Our Affiliated Sites

Texas Catholic Youth

Revista Católica

Legal and Other

Contact us

Terms of service

Privacy policy

Site map

Site powered by TexasCatholicMedia

© 2013-2019 The Texas Catholic Publishing Company. All rights reserved.