By KERA News & Wire Services
Dallas, TX – The new Dallas police chief has issued a statement to his police force as he faces one of the worst tragedies that could befall a law enforcement officer: living with the knowledge that his dead son was a cop killer.
Just seven weeks after being sworn in as leader of the Dallas police force, David Brown learned on Father's Day that his 27-year-old son gunned down a suburban officer in a weekend shootout with police.
Investigators say 37-year-old Lancaster officer Craig Shaw was killed Sunday just minutes after Brown's son fatally shot a stranger in what authorities say was a random attack.
In his statement to his officers, Brown acknowledged that the past few days had been "troubling and emotional." He offered condolences to the families of the two men his son killed.
In his words, "My family has not only lost a son, but a fellow police officer and a private citizen lost their lives at the hands of our son." He adds, "That hurts so deeply I cannot adequately express the sadness I feel inside my heart."
Services for Lancaster Police Officer
A prayer vigil for fallen Lancaster Police Officer Craig Shaw will be held Wednesday morning at the First United Methodist Church on So. Dallas Avenue.
Shaw was killed in the Sunday shootout with David Brown Jr., son of the Dallas Police Chief. Jeremy McMillan, an innocent bystander, was also shot and killed by Brown.
The Dallas Sheriff's Department continues to investigate.
Thursday night there will be a candlelight vigil outside the Lancaster Police Department for the officer. Funeral services are Saturday at the Inspiring Body of Christ church on South Westmoreland.
Free Summer Camp At Dallas Schools
The Dallas School District has several hundred spaces available at the free Thriving Minds summer camps for elementary school students.
The organization "Big Thought" partners with the District to offer the full-day camps during July. They combine language arts, math, science and social studies with music, art, theatre and dance. Breakfast, lunch and transportation are provided.
Eligible participants must be in grades K through five, and attend one of 20 targeted schools.
East Dallas: Conner, Guzick
Southeast Dallas: Douglas, Blair, Moseley, Titche
North Dallas: Burnet, McShan, Saldivar
Southwest Dallas: Donald, Cochran, Lide Hooe, Stevens Park, Moreno, Henderson
South Oak Cliff: Weiss, Alexander, Mills, Carpenter, Young, Mark Twain
The four-week camps operate Monday through Thursday July 6 - 29 from 8 am - 5 pm.
Parents can download an enrollment form online at http://www.bigthought.org/thrivingminds Application deadline is June 30, 2010. For additional information, call 469-916-9835.
Ringleader In Fake ID Scam Sentenced
The lead defendant in a fake ID scam is going to prison for nearly four years. Ruben Gomez-Luevano of McKinney was sentenced this week, after pleading guilty in March.
Earlier, co-defendants in the case -- a man from Dallas and a State Trooper -- also received prison time.
Federal officials say the scam involved more than 200 fake driver licenses and state ID's.
The former Trooper, Alvaro Adame worked in Wichita Falls and at the Northwest Highway DPS office in Dallas. He received time served, and five years probation for his role. He also surrendered his Texas Peace Officer's license.
LBJ Freeway Makeover Gets A Billion In Loans
The LBJ Freeway make-over, between Central and I-35, is getting a BILLION dollars in "loans" from the federal government.
Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson says the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act is "loaning" 850 million for lane reconstruction, plus six additional TOLL lanes. It's the second-largest loan ever.
More than 600 million will come from federal tax exempt private equity bonds.
The 1.4 BILLION in loans will be repaid with toll revenue.
TxDot says this financing keeps the 2.7 billion dollar project on schedule. Construction should begin early next year. It'll take five years to complete.