‘Circle of Heroes' memorial honors fallen Dallas officers

DALLAS - A memorial dedication was held Thursday morning for the officers who were killed during the July 7 ambush in Downtown Dallas.

“Today is a shining example of that support and faith of what the community has for the men and women of the Dallas Police Department,” said Interim Chief David Pughes.

“Let us come to this memorial remembering the selfless lives that these good honorable men lived,” added Deputy Chief Albert Martinez.

The Dallas Circle of Heroes honors DART Officer Brent Thompson and Dallas police officers Patrick Zamarripa, Michael Krol, Sgt. Michael Smith and Cpl. Lorne Ahrens. Making up the circle are five stones with plaques that tell each of their stories.

Sgt. Smith’s widow, Heidi, said she was thankful for the nice quiet place where her daughters can go to remember their dad.

Officer Zamarripa’s young daughter, Lyncoln, held a flag during the dedication ceremony.

“Dada takes care of me,” she told reporters afterward.

“He was the most selfless person I’ve ever met. He went out of his way for people he loved and even people he didn’t know. People say it’s a job but it’s not. It’s a calling and he went out exactly the way he would have wanted to. He risked his life for other people,” Zamarripa’s widow, Kristy, said.

She said her daughter doesn’t fully understand what happened to her dad. The toddler saw his picture on television recently and was happy because he was smiling.

“I’m not looking forward to the future and having to tell her,” Kristy said tearfully.

“Don’t cry. Mama don't cry,” Lyncoln said.

The memorial located at 1350 Manufacturing Street along the Trinity strand Trail. It was funded by private donors.