The murder of five Dallas police officers on Thursday is the deadliest day for American law enforcement since September 11, 2001.
In addition to the dead, seven officers and two civilians were wounded. This is what we know about them so far.
BRENT THOMPSON, 44
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The first of the deceased was been identified by authorities as Brent Thompson, an officer for the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) authority. Thompson married a fellow transit officer only two weeks ago. Thompson was a former active-duty Marine, according to his Facebook acount. Before joining the department in 2009, Thompson trained police in Iraq and Afghanistan while working for a private military contractor, according to his LinkedIn profile.
The New York Times interviewed Thompson 10 years ago about his work in Afghanistan, and he spoke for the story about how ill-equipped the Afghan police force was in comparison to their Iraqi counterparts. Thompson wrote on his LinkedIn page that he directed units and training teams that taught democratic policing and helped establish police departments in various cities throughout both countries.
“Never leave a brother behind,” he posted to Facebook in April 2015. “PTSD is a hard battle at home.”
“Brent was a great officer,” DART Chief James Spiller said Friday morning. “We’re making sure his family is taken care of.”
In May, Thompson shared a meme that read, “When I die, my friends better do this at my funeral” written on top of a scene from the show Eastbound & Down, in which a character plays the song “Far Behind” from Candlebox loudly on a stereo before a eulogy.
PATRICK ZAMARRIPA, 32
Patrick Zamarripa was a Texas Rangers fan, a husband, a father, and stepfather. (His family told The Washington Post he was one of those killed in Dallas.) A Defense official told The Daily Beast that Zamarripa was a decorated Navy veteran who completed tours in Iraq and served for more than 10 years. His stepbrother Dylan Martinez wrote on Twitter: “Everyone say a prayer for my stepbrother, Patrick, and his family. He was one of the young Dallas police officers killed this evening.” He added, “Family man and military vet. Just not right.” A tweet posted by another family member featured a picture of Zamarripa that read, “Love you brother. Couldn’t be prouder. We’ll see you again.”
"This isn't supposed to happen," Zamarripa's aunt, Lanette Martinez, told the Dallas Morning-News. "You always think it's somebody else. You feel for the fallen officers when we see something on TV; we hurt. You never expect for it to happen to you."
Zamarripa’s own Twitter proclaimed that he was “Addicted to the thrill of this job.” He continued, “I own the night. I love my Country, Texas, Family, God, Friends, and Sports! Don’t Tread on Me! ’Merica.” Family members’ Facebook accounts repeatedly described his loyalty to his family. His sister posted a photo on the day his daughter was born, in 2013: “My little brother became a daddy to a precious little princess yesterday! It’s such a blessing & joy to see him so happy!!”
MICHAEL KROL, 40
The sheriff of Wayne County, Michigan, Benny Napoleon said Friday that Michael Krol, a former deputy, was one of the officers slain in Dallas. Krol reportedly worked in a Wayne County jail from 2003-2007.
His uncle Jim Ehlke told reporters that Krol was passionate about helping people and that becoming a police officer was a dream of his. “He got into law enforcement and worked really hard to be a police officer,” Ehlke said. “He worked pretty hard to find a job and got one in Dallas. He was all in, he was all in.”
LORNE AHRENS, 48
Before joining the Dallas Police Department, Senior Corporal Lorne Ahrens had held a semi-professional football career, his father-in-law told the Washington Post. But Ahrens traded his football jersey for a police uniform years ago, joining the Dallas Police Department in 2002. His family identified him as among the dead after the Dallas shooting.
Ahrens lived with his wife Katrina, who is also a police officer. Together they had two children, a ten-year-old girl and an eight-year-old boy.
Previously a detective with the department, Ahrens received warm reviews for his policing.
“Detective Lorne Ahrens is an excellent officer and an asset to Dallas, Tx Law Enforcement!!!!” one person wrote on the police review site RateMyCop. “You are doing a great job dectective Ahrens, keep up the good work and stay safe!!!!”
MICHAEL SMITH, 55
A father to two young daughters, Officer Michael Smith had spent a long career in military and police service. Formerly an Army Ranger, Smith spent his past 26 years in the Dallas Police Department.
Smith had discussed retirement with his family, but had chosen to remain on the force, his brother-in-law told WFAA.
THE WOUNDED
MISTY MCBRIDE, 32
Misty McBride was one of three DART officers woulded during the shooting.
McBride suffered gunshots to the arm and the abdomen. “When she got shot, she fell over and turned around and started crawling back towards the car,” her father, Richard McBride, told reporters. “The other officers got her and put her in the car and brought her over here [to the hospital].” McBride’s young daughter told TV crews on Friday morning, “I’m just glad she’s alive.”
JORGE BARRIENTOS, 28
Barrientos was shot in the hand and also hit by shrapnel on Thursday night, but he says he should recover. The four-year veteran told the Dallas Morning News, “I’m going to carry this for the rest of my life. These were brothers, friends."
ELMAR CANNON, 44
IVAN SALDANA, 44
A 15-year veteran of the Dallas Police Department, Saldana was wounded by shrapnel during the shooting. As of Saturday he was up walking around his home and is expected to recover.
GRETCHEN ROCHA, 23
Rocha joined the Dallas Police Department in 2014 and is originally from Wisconsin where she grew up riding horses. She was injured by shrapnel during the shooting.
JESUS RETANA, 39
GIOVANNI WELLS, 46
Wells has been an officer with the Dallas Police Department for 9 years.
SHETAMIA TAYLOR, 37
Two civilians were also wounded, The Dallas Morning-News reports. One of those victims—identified as Shetamia Taylor—was undergoing surgery early Friday after she was shot while shielding her four sons from gunfire. She is expected to be OK.
