DALLAS — They came to honor the fallen; the 80 Dallas police officers who made the ultimate sacrifice.
This year' memorial came at a tough time for the law enforcement community — a time of unprecedented scrutiny, criticism and protests across the nation over controversial police shootings and in-custody deaths.
That was the undeniable subtext at this gathering attended by Mayor Mike Rawlings, police Chief David Brown and many other local dignitaries.
"The decisions and actions of officers who risk their lives here and across the county are being called into question like never before," said Rawlings said. "That's why what we're doing here today is more important than ever. I say to men and women, keep the faith. You are our protectors."
One by one, they read the names of each fallen officer.
The family of Officer J.D. Tippit attended. He was killed in 1963 by presidential assassin Lee Harvey Oswald. Also attending were the widow and children of Senior Cpl. Cpl. Victor Lozada, who died in a motorcycle accident in 2008.
Jo Ann Jackson stood as the name of her husband, Brian Jackson, was called. His was the 75th name to be read. He was fatally shot responding to a domestic violence call in Old East Dallas in 2005.
"My husband died giving his life to save somebody," she said. "People just automatically assume the police are bad, and I don't think that's true ... he wanted to serve ... he was a very kind, compassionate man."
Her pain is still palpable all these years later. She had moved here from their native Rhode Island when he joined the Dallas force in 2001. They had only been married about eight weeks when he died.
"I keep thinking it's going to get easier, but it doesn't," Jackson said. "It doesn't get any easier. I still miss him every day."
Police Chief David Brown said even the face of "hypercriticism," police officers continue to do their job, putting their lives on the line for others.
"Our memorial wall is an example to criminals that there are people willing to risk their lives to protect this city," Chief Brown said. "That's why we do it. That's our meaning. That's our purpose. We're the guardians of this democracy."
Rawlings and Brown both vowed that the sacrifices of the fallen officers and their families will not be forgotten.
"My promise to the families of the fallen officers is that we will continue to honor your husbands, the wives, the brothers, the sisters and sons," the mayor said. "We will do that by continuing to support those who put on a uniform who risk their lives for us every day, even in the face of unprecedented scrutiny and criticism."
The last name added was more than four years ago. They pray that the 81st name isn't added any time soon.
