A lone officer stands watch over the body of Dallas Police Department Sgt. Michael Smith following a public visitation at Mary Immaculate Catholic Church in Farmers Branch on July 12. Sgt. Smith was one of five officers killed by a gunman following a protest July 7 in downtown Dallas. (KEVIN BARTRAM/Special Contributor)
The lives that they gave were gifts to those they vowed to serve and to protect.
Their names will be eternal.
Sgt. Michael Smith.
Senior Cpl. Lorne Ahrens.
Officer Patrick Zamarripa.
Officer Michael Krol.
Officer Brent Thompson.
They were among the dozens of police officers who responded when a gunman began shooting in downtown Dallas after a peaceful rally to protest police-related shootings in other parts of the country.
They have been described as quiet, humble, strong, gentle, giant, mentor, guardian, jokester, warrior, trustworthy, family man.
They will forever be linked to each other and to the events of July 7, 2016, when, as many have said, evil came and like guardian angels they answered the call. They died protecting the citizens of Dallas.
May they be thanked and honored and may their faces and their acts of bravery and heroism serve as Portraits of Courage to be etched in our hearts and minds forever.
For additional coverage, view The Texas Catholic’s Portraits of Courage coverage.
