DALLAS — When gunfire erupted in downtown Dallas Thursday night, police did not flinch. They did not behave recklessly, President Barack Obama said.
The officers answered their call, he said, running toward the shooter and moving the people they are entrusted to protect out of harm’s way.
“We mourn fewer people today because of your brave actions,” Obama said at Tuesday’s memorial service for the five officers who died during the sniper attack.
“Everyone was helping each other,” he said. “It wasn’t about black and white. … That’s the America I know.”
Speaking to a packed Meyerson Symphony Center, filled with police officers, victims’ families and members of the media, Obama talked about the mood of the nation as it grapples with the divisive issues that led to the Black Lives Matter rally that preceded the shooting in Dallas.
But mostly the president praised the fallen officers, who he repeatedly said “answered the call,” and the city they served.
The fallen officers were:
—Patrick Zamarripa, Dallas police, 32, a Fort Worth Paschal High School graduate and father who survived three tours in Iraq;
—Senior Cpl. Lorne Ahrens, Dallas police, 48, of Burleson and father of two;
—Sgt. Michael Smith, Dallas police, 55, of Carrollton and father of two;
—Michael Krol, Dallas police, 40, a Michigan native who had lived in Burleson and Fort Worth;
—Brent Thompson, DART police, 40, of Corsicana, a father, grandfather and newlywed.
“The pain we feel may not soon pass, but my faith tells me they did not die in vain. … May God bless their memory, may God Bless this country that we love,” Obama said.
The message of unity was strong; the service featured an interfaith choir representing six churches and faith leaders from the Christian, Jewish and Muslim communities, each of who offered prayers.
Seats were set aside for the five fallen officers, with a folded flag and service hat in their place. They were remembered as officers who proudly served their community, cherished as men who loved their families.
Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings opened the service, saying the “soul of our city was pierced” by the ambush that occurred at 8:58 p.m. Thursday in downtown Dallas.
He welcomed the guests, saying: “Today we open our city’s doors to our friends and neighbors. We realize our pain is your pain.”
Rawlings talked about the “absurd violence” on our streets and the commitment shown by police, “our men in blue.”
He praised the city and its police force, saying, “I’m in awe of our Dallas police officers,” a line that received a standing ovation.
He ended by professing his love for Dallas.
“I have never been more proud of my city, our city,” Rawlings said.
“I have asked why us,” Rawlings said. “In my moments of self-doubt, I’ve discovered the truth. That we did nothing wrong.”
Former President George W. Bush, a Dallas resident since leaving the White House, said it’s been a difficult few days because those who call Dallas home “have had five deaths in the family.”
“Today the nation grieves. … We are proud of the men we mourn,” Bush said.
He praised the Dallas Police Department, noting that it is “mighty and courageous,” and the fallen, saying, “These slain officers were the best among us.”
And he said the community is “grief-stricken, heart-broken and forever grateful.”
Bush ended by addressing the families — the wives, the children — of the officers.
“Today, all of feel a sense of loss, but not equally. … Your loved ones’ time with us was too short,” Bush said.
“Your loss is unfair,” Bush said. “We cannot explain it, but we can stand next to you and share your grief. … May God bless you.”
Police Chief David Brown, who received a rousing ovation, spoke briefly before introducing Obama, and talked about how he used to quote singer/songwriter Stevie Wonder when trying to woo young girls as a teenager growing up in South Oak Cliff.
That led Obama to say, “I’m so glad I met Michelle first because she loves Stevie Wonder.”
He was referencing, of course, first lady Michelle Obama, who was among the many dignitaries present, along with Vice President Joe Biden, his wife, Dr. Jill Biden, and former first lady Laura Bush.
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, Sen. Ted Cruz and U.S. Reps. Marc Veasey of Fort Worth and Eddie Bernice Johnson of Dallas rode with the Obamas on Air Force One.
Cruz, who has long been critical of the president, accepted an invitation from Obama to fly on the presidential plane.
“At a time when our country is so divided, I think it is important that the country’s leaders are coming together across party lines despite significant political differences to emphasize a shared desire to unify the country,” said White House press secretary Josh Earnest.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who underwent skin grafts Tuesday to repair damage to both of his feet after being burned last week by scalding water, did not attend the memorial but was represented by his wife, Texas first lady Cecilia Abbott.
The memorial service was not open to the public, but a huge screen was set up at Klyde Warren Park, where at least 800 people braved a blazing sun to watch the service and pay tribute to those who died.
Mother and daughter, Stephanie and Ebony Cooksey, came to the downtown park to show their support.
“We wanted to get as close as we could and this park is it,” Ebony said. “When you’re hurting, you need to know someone is on your side.”
“We’re presenting a united front,” Stephanie said.
Shelton Russell was in town from Raleigh, N.C. for a conference when he made his way over to the park on break to hear what the local and national leaders were going to say in this time of tragedy.
“It’s important for him to show connection and solidarity with Dallas,” Russell said of Obama. “It also gives him a chance to talk about other societal issues, this tragedy brings it all together.”
Obama, who ordered flags at all public buildings to be flown at half-staff until sunset Tuesday, cut short a European trip for his last NATO summit after learning about the ambush.
The five officers were killed — nine other officers and two civilians were wounded — Thursday night as a peaceful Black Lives Matter protest against police brutality began to wind down.
Bush said “none of us were prepared by an ambush of hatred and malice.”
Sniper Micah Johnson, 25, a troubled Army veteran and loner from Mesquite, began his attack while perched in the El Centro Community College building before moving down to the street, firing at will.
He was eventually cornered in college’s parking garage, where he continued to exchange gunfire with police.
After hours of intense negotiations — Brown said Johnson sang and laughed as he spewed hatred about white people, “especially police officers” — authorities deployed a robot armed with a C-4 explosive to take out Johnson.
Johnson’s name was not mentioned during the service.
Fort Worth Star-Telegram staff writers Azia Branson and Mitch Mitchell contributed this report, which contains information from Star-Telegram archives.
Copyright 2016 Fort Worth Star-Telegram
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