Events Set To Mark 1 Year Since Dallas Police Ambush
DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - Next month will be one year since the deadly ambush on police in downtown Dallas that killed five officers. It was July 7 of last year that a shooter attacked police after a peaceful protest. Plans were announced on Tuesday about a 'Weekend of Honor' this year from July 7-9 to mark the occasion.
It seems like not long ago that the walkway of the Dallas Police Department's headquarters was turned into a giant memorial, with people bringing flowers and signs as a way of honoring the fallen and showing their appreciation for the work that police officers do every day.
Organizers want to recreate that sense of togetherness this year.
"We're all trying to heal in the same way." Details for events at https://t.co/4rFPUMetbM pic.twitter.com/L0gxSbMxiB
— CBS DFW (@CBSDFW) June 6, 2017
A series of programs are being planned throughout Dallas. The goal of these events is to, first, remember the four Dallas police officers and one DART police officer who were killed in the sniper attack. But organizers also want to unite the city, ensuring that everyone -- both police officers and citizens -- feel like they have a safe place to go and reflect.
ONLINE: WeekendOfHonor.com
"Our vision is that we don't want officers or anybody else that was impacted to be alone on July 7, 2017. That's our goal," said Sgt. Willie Ford with the Dallas Police Department. Many officers are still struggling to heal from last year, and organizers are hoping that they can be around people on this difficult day.
Specifics about the 'Weekend of Honor' events were unveiled at a news conference on Tuesday. You can see the full list on the weekend's website. It includes a tribute, a festival, a 5K race, an award ceremony, an attempt to break the record for Longest Chain of People Making Heart-Shaped Hand Gestures, and more.
Also on Tuesday, former Dallas Police Department Chief David Brown releases a memoir entitled "Called to Rise." Brown was a key figure in bringing the city together last year, in the immediate aftermath of the shooting. In the new book, Brown shares his personal story. He retired from the force last fall.