DALLAS — Outside of Dallas police headquarters, the father of a local officer stood beside a growing mound of flowers, cards and candles honoring the fallen.
"My son is a current Dallas police officer. That's why I came today," said Patricio Yanez, a Dallas DART train operator. "My family supports them, we pray for them and we thank them."
Yanez's dark sunglasses couldn't hide the tears that trickled down his cheeks. He said he was proud of the service of his son — who decided against being a mechanical engineer because he felt he would be able to help more people as an officer. But Yanez is aware of the danger police face every day.
"It's day-by-day. But he's appreciated as a son and as an officer," Yanez said.
Ken Harrison, secretary of the biker group Southern Dawgs, said many bikers in the group are law enforcement officers. About a dozen bikers showed up in solidarity.
"They're always told that this can be a life-threatening job. Every day when they walk out the door, they don't know if they're coming back," Harrison said. "But this hits home. It's the ultimate sacrifice."
A police vehicle was surrounded by candles, flowers, stuffed animals and notes. A sign read, "When times get hard, keep praying for love." A handwritten note, addressed to 'The Families of the Fallen,' read, in part, "This is, and always will be, the greatest city in the Nation, with the best police force in the Nation. I thank you humbly for your loved ones' sacrifice. They will be missed. My prayer is peace for your families and hope for a change in this land."
Veronica Sites, a chaplain with a crisis response team, said she had already counseled several people by early Saturday morning.
"The city's hurting right now. There isn't a person I've come across who isn't hurting," Sites said. "My father was a police officer, so I understand."
Also in attendance were members from Heroes, Cops and Kids — a Dallas-based organization of law enforcement and community members who conduct community outreach dressed as super heroes.
"We're here to bridge the gap between police and the community," said Merlin "Captain America" Lofton. "We need to talk to the people in times of peace as well as times of tragedy. We need programs like this."
At a prayer service in Thanksgiving Square on Friday, Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings asked people to remember that corrupt police officers make up only about 1% of the total police population — that the other 99% honor their responsibilities in wearing the badge. Ed Trevino, a member of Heroes, Cops and Kids who dresses up like The Hulk, said that sentiment goes for civilians as well.
"The vast majority of people out there are good people," Trevino said. "We know that 95% of the community still supports us."
