Dallas police chief says officer Darren Birx was ‘executed’ in targeted attack

The Dallas Police Department has released a moving update following the shooting death of Officer Darren Burks, saying the former high school teacher was “executed” in the line of duty.

At a news conference Friday, Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia said the department had lost a “brother” and a “hero.” After the shooting.

“We are deeply saddened as a department and as a family,” Garcia said. “We lost a brother and a hero last night. Officer Darren Burks was our son, our nephew, our friend to many, and it is so tragic that he was senselessly killed in the line of duty.”

The shooting occurred around 10 p.m. Thursday near the Oak Cliff Community Center, killing Burke and injuring two other officers.

The suspected gunman, identified as Corey Cobb-Bey, 30, was killed in a shootout following a highway chase with police.

“We almost lost other officers,” Garcia said. “These officers risked their lives to protect their brothers, and thank God they are still with us today.”

The police chief said the officers were “targets” of Cobb-Bay.

“Our officers were targeted solely because of the uniform they wore and the brave and honorable job they performed,” he said. “I want to be clear here, the word ambush has been used a lot over the last 24 hours. That is not the case. Officer Berks was executed.”

Garcia said Kobbe approached Burkes and began a conversation, recording the incident on his cellphone, before pulling out a handgun and opening fire.

Police said they had no evidence that Burkes and Cobbbe knew each other.

“Cobb-Bay approached Burkes and spoke briefly with him at the driver’s side window, recording the incident on his cell phone,” he said. “The suspect then produced a handgun and executed Officer Burkes while he was sitting in his vehicle.”

Police said they received a call about an officer in distress and responded to the call and found Burkes seriously injured in the police car.

At 10:11 p.m., Senior Corporal Jamie Farmer pulled into the parking lot after receiving a call for backup. Farmer was shot by Cobb-Bay. When Farmer returned fire, Cobb-Bay grabbed a shotgun and shot Farmer, striking him in the leg.

A minute later, Senior Corporal Karissa David arrived at the scene.

Cobb ran toward David and shot her several times as she got out of the car.

According to police, David was shot in the face.

The officers exchanged gunfire with the suspect and two other officers were shot.

The suspect was shot and killed following a high-speed police chase on Interstate 35 from Dallas to Lewisville.

According to Fox 4, citing sources, Burkes was a high school math teacher at the Pleasant Grove campus of the Texas Canning Academy. He was passionate about helping the community, so he decided to enter the police academy.

“Last year, Officer Burks made the courageous decision 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, exemplifies his dedication to making a positive impact in the lives of those around him,” wrote Tina Shaw, president of the Texas Canning Academy Pleasant Grove campus.

One former student, Adrian Coleman, said Burks mentored troubled teens.

“As a troubled teenager, he made sure to instill knowledge in me and give me the tools I needed to graduate and grow up in this world,” Coleman told local media. “I’m so grateful for him and the time he and I had together.”

Burks is a rookie officer who entered the Dallas Police Academy for the first time last year.