DALLAS – The Dallas police officer who was killed in an ambush shooting near the Oak Cliff Community Center was a former high school math teacher and coach.
Officer Darron Burks was “executed” late Thursday night by Corey Cobb-Bey, according to Dallas police.
Burks was shot and killed after Cobb-Bey came up to him while he was sitting in his squad car. Bey-Cobb spoke to Burks through the window while recording on his phone. He then pulled out a gun and shot Burks.
Two other officers who responded to a call for backup were shot.
Cobb-Bey was shot and killed at the end of a high-speed police chase on Interstate 35 from Dallas to Lewisville.
“As a department, we are devastated,” said Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia. “Officer Darron Burks was a son, a nephew, a friend to many and he was senselessly and tragically murdered in the line of duty.”
Burks was a math teacher at Texas Can Academy’s Pleasant Grove campus from June 2006 to February 2023.
“Last year, Officer Burks bravely decided to leave the field of education to serve our city as a member of the Dallas Police Department. His commitment to serving others, both as a teacher and as a police officer, exemplified his dedication to making a positive impact on the lives of those around him,” wrote Tina Shaw, the principal at Texas Can Academy’s Pleasant Grove Campus.
Texas Can officials described Burks as “an excellent educator” and a “mentor to countless students.”
“As a troubled youth, he made sure instill knowledge and provide me with the tools I needed to graduate, to be a man out here in this world. I am very thankful for him and the time he spent with me,” said Adrian Coleman, who played basketball for Burks.
Burks entered the Dallas Police Academy last year.
Burks graduated from Lake Highlands High School in 1988 and studied at Paul Quinn College, where he was a member of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity.
“He was part of the first graduating class when I became president in 2007,” said Michael Sorrell, president of Paul Quinn College. “Darron was a loved member of this community. He was a wonderful fraternity member to his brothers at Omega Psi Phi. He was a wonderful alum to Paul Quinn, he invested in this institution and we will miss him. We will honor his memory. We are grateful that we knew him for the time we had him, we just wish we had him for longer.”
The fraternity planned a candlelight vigil for Burks at the Oak Cliff Community Center on Friday. People are asked to arrive by 6:30 p.m. The vigil is expected to begin shortly after 7. Another ceremony will be held at Winners Smokehouse in Cedar Hill.
Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson asked that city flags be flown at half-staff in his honor.
Source Agencies
