Reward increased to $15K in Officer Darrin McMichael crash investigation
ARLINGTON (CBSNewsTexas.com) - Five days after Officer Darrin McMichael was killed, detectives in the vehicle crime unit of the Dallas County Sheriff's Department said they only know they are looking for a dark colored sedan and need more witnesses or video to move the case forward.
Det. Miguel Hernandez said they are looking for video from any drivers who were on I-20, between I-45 and 175 on September 21, at about 6 a.m.
That's when McMichael was struck and killed by a car as he headed into work for the day. His wife, who's also an Arlington police officer was following behind and saw his motorcycle bump into a car. McMichael then reportedly lost control and fell off his bike. The dark-colored sedan then struck McMichael. The driver of that car didn't stop to help and took off.
The Dallas County Sheriff's Office and the Arlington Police Department is also asking businesses to check their video from that time for anything of interest.
"Now we are calling 911 and asking for your help apprehending the individual who killed officer McMichael," said McMichael's longtime friend, Officer William Bill during a Tuesday press conference.
Hernandez said there were some other drivers on the road who stopped and even attempted to give McMichael CPR, but there was no better description of the car that hit him.
There aren't any traffic cameras on that stretch of I-20 either, Hernandez said.
McMichael was a member of the department's Motorcycle Unit, where he served honorably for the last 13 years. He also served as a patrol officer and detective in the North Patrol District.
He graduated from Sam Houston High School before attending college, according to a social media post from the department from ten years ago. He was awarded a baccalaureate degree with dual majors from the University of Texas at Arlington.
Before joining the police department in 1999, he worked at Bell Helicopter.
"Officer Darrin McMichael was a respected and beloved member of our APD family," shared Arlington Police Chief Al Jones the day McMichael died. "We are heartbroken and we are hurting. This is a devastating loss that will be felt for a long time. Please pray for his wife, who is also an APD employee, his family, his friends, and his APD family. They need all the support they can get right now."
White Settlement Chief of Police Christopher Cook shared memories of McMichael on social media, saying: "Going back through some memories on my phone of Officer Darrin McMichael on my phone that we posted at APD. We worked a lot of Six Flags events together and he was always in department photos based upon his dedication and service to community! Heartbroken for the APD family, his wife, and immediately family and friends."
As word of McMichael's death has spread, fellow officers from all over North Texas continue to mourn his passing.
"We want justice, not only for Officer McMichael, but also for his family and Arlington PD," said police sergeant Grant Gildon.
A sergeant and two detectives from Arlington's special investigation division, have now joined the investigation to assist the Sheriff's department.
Police also announced Tuesday that Oak Farms Dairy has put up a $15,000 reward for information leading to an arrest or conviction in the case. That's on top of $5,000 offered by Crimestoppers.
Contact Crime Stoppers at 1-877-373-8477.