Ten years after the deadly ambush in Dallas that claimed the lives of five law enforcement officers, the fathers of two of the victims have reflected on their enduring grief and the bond they formed through tragedy. Rick Zamarripa and Sam Thompson spoke about their sons, Dallas Police Officer Patrick Zamarripa and DART Police Officer Brent Thompson, who were killed on July 7, 2016.
The two men described a friendship that developed in the decade since the shooting, noting that their sons likely would have been close had they served together. Before their police careers, both officers had military backgrounds. Patrick Zamarripa served eight years in the U.S. Navy, including three tours in Iraq, while Brent Thompson served in the U.S. Marine Corps.
The ambush began during a protest in downtown Dallas and escalated when a gunman fired on officers from inside El Centro College. The attack resulted in the deaths of Patrick Zamarripa, Brent Thompson, Dallas Police Officers Michael Krol, Lorne Ahrens, and Michael Smith. Several other officers and civilians were injured.
Rick Zamarripa recalled hearing reports of officers being shot over police radio traffic before confirming his son was among the victims. Sam Thompson said he and his wife watched the attack unfold on television. He remembered seeing his son get shot and realizing immediately that he was gone.
A decade later, the fathers say the pain remains, particularly during birthdays, Father's Day, and family gatherings. Rick Zamarripa said he learned to live with the loss by taking one day at a time. He credited support from others for helping him through difficult moments after Patrick's death.
