Irving police officer killed in motorcycle crash

Friends and colleagues are mourning the death of an Irving police officer who was killed in a crash on his way to work.

Officer Mark Dahl died early Friday morning after he wreck in his personal motorcycle. He was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.

Dahl was just a few blocks from work when the crash happened.

Irving Police Chief Larry Boyd says Dahl will be dearly missed. The Irving motorcycle patrol officer made a huge difference with the department in the 19 years he was there.

"Had people from around the state actually reaching out that he had impacted,” explained Boys. “He's just one of those officers that people enjoy being around."

Dahl died when his personal motorcycle crashed on southbound Valley View Lane just as it crosses underneath Interstate 635. Police say there was a witness who saw the crash and called 911. No one else was involved in the crash.

David Teel remembers Dahl as a fellow deputy with the Dallas County Sheriff's Office, where Dahl spent six years before going to Irving.

"You couldn't have a crappy day around Mark,” Teel said. “He came in the room and forced whatever funk you were in, he forced you out of that and brought you back to where he wanted you to be."

Dahl worked patrol in Irving before moving to tactical and finally in the motor unit. Before his career in law enforcement, Dahl served in the Marines.

"I don't care what color you were, what your background was, where you grew up, you loved Mark Dahl,” said Teel.

Dahl leaves behind a wife and two adult sons, both of whom are also in the Marines.