Funeral, vigil announced for slain Richardson police officer

Funeral arrangements have been set for the first Richardson police officer killed in the line of duty.

The public is invited to attend a candlelight vigil at 5:30 p.m. Sunday at the Richardson Civic Center's Fountain Plaza in honor of Ofc. David Sherrard. Services for Sherrard will be on Tuesday at 2 p.m. at Watermark Community Church in Dallas.

LINK: ATO Foundation Donation Page for Officer David Sherrard

Video was released on Friday of the arraignment for the man accused of shooting Sherrard dead.

Video of the man accused of shooting Sherrard dead made his first appearance in court. Brandon McCall’s Thursday morning was brief and his only interaction with the judge was about whether he had an attorney.

"So, I want you to know that you've been arrested for the charge of a felony offense of capital murder of a police officer, there is no bond on that case,” said Judge Paul Raleeh.

McCall told the judge he had a court-appointed attorney representing him.

On Friday afternoon, crime scene detectives were still gathering evidence at the apartment complex where police say McCall shot and killed Sherrard and civilian Rene Gamez, who has been described as McCall's friend.

Around the perimeter, a woman tied blue ribbons to remember the lives lost.

"It affected me even though I didn't know him personally,” said resident Tricia Eskenazi.

A steady crowd of people, including some officers, continued to bring flowers to a temporary memorial outside Richardson PD. They also prayed and paid their respects to the fallen officer and his family.

"It's unimaginable, it's unimaginable you can't really explain it,” said Dallas PD Ofc. Rocio Rodriguez. "Pay our respects, I mean we worked together a lot. Like I said we work right on the border. There's times when we cover them on things, and there's times to cover us on other things.”

The vast majority of people who visited never knew Sherrard, but said they knew what he stood for.

"Just came to give my support to the family and just see that, give them strength through this, because I know it's hard for them,” said resident LaSonya Champion.

The reality of this tragedy has hit the Richardson police family hard.

"My husband and this officer were friends, they were instructors together at the firearms academy,” said Amber Ulrick. "That's all I've known, is for him to go out and put his life on the line for other people and it's hard."

Sherrard's two daughters attend McMillan Junior High in Wylie ISD. One of them was supposed to play in a basketball tournament in Royse City Friday night. But while she was not up to play, she was there to support her team. Parents and teams from the other schools also paid tribute to her and her family.

Officer Sherrard's badge number could be seen proudly displayed in many places around the gym, on posters and blue t-shirts that his daughter's team made showing their support and sending a message of support.

"We're there for them. They're part of our family," said Ian Halperin with Wylie ISD. "When they hurt, we hurt. But also that we want them to come back to school and feel loved and feel welcome whenever that is."

Wylie ISD is asking the entire district to wear blue on Monday in honor of Officer Sherrard.