Dallas police honor victims of July 7 ambush, 80 other ‘true heroes’

The Dallas Police Department on Wednesday marked the first Police Memorial Day since five officers were gunned down in an ambush last July 7.

In all, 84 Dallas police officers have been killed in the line of duty since the 1890s, and each was named at the police memorial at Young and Akard streets.

“Our prayer is that no new officers be added to this memorial,” Lt. Matt Williamson told the crowd of hundreds gathered at the memorial.

A march kicked off the commemoration just before noon at Griffin and Young streets and ended at the memorial site, where the ceremony was held.

“Our fallen are true heroes, but the term ‘hero’ doesn’t do it justice,” interim Police Chief David Pughes said during the service.

Police officers marched with family and friends of the victims — four Dallas officers and a DART policeman — along with Dallas residents and city officials.

“We know that good doesn’t always conquer evil, and today is a reminder of that,” Pughes said. “But where would we be if good people didn’t answer God’s call to fight bad people?”

Also among the officials on hand were Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings, Dallas County District Attorney Faith Johnson and former Police Chief David Brown.

The service included a salute of three volleys of rifle fire, the sounding of Taps, a performance of “Amazing Grace,” a riderless horse and a flyover by a police helicopter.

This story was originally published May 17, 2017 at 7:14 PM with the headline "Dallas police honor victims of July 7 ambush, 80 other ‘true heroes’."