Memorials Continue For Fallen Dallas Police Officers
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DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - Memorials continue for the five police officers who were shot and killed during the ambush in downtown Dallas last week. The community has rallied around the families of these men, and more huge crowds are expected at two events on Thursday afternoon and evening.
Watermark Church in Dallas holds about 3,500 people, and they could be filled to capacity on Thursday afternoon for a public memorial honoring Sgt. Michael Smith, a 28-year veteran of the Dallas Police Department. The Army veteran, former Officer of the Year, husband and father will be remembered at a service starting at noon.
Police officers from across North Texas arrived at the church throughout Thursday morning. They raised a large American flag between two fire trucks -- a beautiful sight as the sun came up from behind it. Officers said that moments like these help them get through this extremely trying time. "That alone gives us something," said Andrae Smith with the Plano Police Department, "and that is what a lot of us will lean on in the weeks to come."
For those interested in attending Smith's memorial, Watermark Church is located at 7540 LBJ Freeway in Dallas. That service will be followed by a private burial.
And then, on Thursday evening, a second of the five officers will be honored at Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, another large venue and another huge turnout expected. A visitation for Dallas Police Department officer Michael Krol will take place from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. ahead of a funeral at 11:00 a.m. on Friday at the same location, 6801 West Park Boulevard.
Krol is from Michigan, and will be taken home for his burial.
Patrick Zamarripa of the Dallas Police Department will be the final officer laid to rest this week. A mass is planned for him on Friday evening followed by his burial on Saturday at DFW National Cemetery.