DALLAS — Rachel McGowan and Ken Johnson remember when they first met fallen Dallas Police Officer Darron Burks decades ago as kids at New Mt. Zion Baptist Church.
“He was just a very warm-hearted spirit guy who again would give you a big hug, embrace you when he saw you, would pray with you,” McGowan said.
They all went to junior high, then high school together at Lake Highlands. Johnson and Burks were childhood best friends and freshman roommates at Paul Quinn College.
“Darron was always about service, you know, he did it in his church, he did it from, you know, student councils all the way through school. You know, he was just a leader, everybody flocked to him,” Johnson said.
They’re among the many mourning his death. Officer Darron Burks, 46, was killed in DPD Chief Eddie Garcia described as a "targeted attack."
“Darron is one of those people, you thought he would die of old age, you know. And, for somebody to do something that they did like that man is - you can't describe it. You can't put that in the words,” Johnson said.
The kind words they use to describe the fallen officer, mimic what everyone who knew him has said.
“I can truly say that Darren is part of the one percentile that did everything by the book, did it the right way,” Johnson said. “Never drink, never smoke.”
They say he was the epitome of the type of person you wanted to protect your community.
“It's not that often that we have men like him and of his caliber to serve and to, and then to be willing to protect. How do we protect young men that are willing to put their lives on the line like Darron was?” McGowan said.
Through their grief - they’re focusing on the legacy Burks leaves behind - from teaching to coaching to being a cop.
“Look at all the people that came out to support him. You know, you talk about legacy - Darron exhibited, all of that, you know, from childhood all the way up until his last moment,” Johnson said. “We all strive to be like him.”
And they’re now committed to making sure that legacy lives on.
A celebration of life will be held Saturday, Sept. 7 at Watermark Church in Dallas.