DALLAS — A visitation and celebration of life will be held in honor of Dallas Police Officer Darron Burks who was killed in the line of duty last week.
Public visitations will be from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday at Watermark Church located at 7540 Lyndon B Johnson Freeway in Dallas. The celebration of life will immediately follow at 11 a.m. Saturday at the church.
At Paul Quinn College a homegoing celebration and cookout is taking place Wednesday, Sept 4, beginning at 7:04 p.m.
A memorial, located at 1999 E Camp Wisdom Rd, has grown over the past few days, with balloons, flowers, and a cross adorning a patrol car as a powerful tribute to Officer Burks.
Just after 10 p.m. on Aug. 29, Officer Burks was shot and killed outside the For Oak Cliff Community Center on E Ledbetter Drive. A short time later, Burks was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Senior Cpl. Jamie Farmer and Senior Cpl. Karissa David was also shot. Officer Farmer has since been released from the hospital. Officer David is still recovering at Baylor Scott & White in Dallas. All three officers were with the South Central Patrol Division.
Burks studied at Paul Quinn College and went on to become a teacher. He worked closely with kids at the Texans Can Academy before he decided to start his career as a police officer.
“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,” said childhood friend Rachel McGowan.
Family, law enforcement, community members, and college friends paid their respects during a candlelight vigil on Friday, Aug. 30. Those who served in the department alongside Burks and his fraternity brothers shared their fond memories of him.
“His line name is Pure Dawg and that's for a reason, because everything he did in life, he tried to do it the right way,” said friend and fellow fraternity brother Ken Frazier.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Officer Burks click here.