Dallas police officer Darron Burks remembered at funeral service

DALLAS - Family and friends of a Dallas police officer killed while sitting in his police cruiser are getting an opportunity to say their final goodbyes.

The funeral for Officer Darron Burks was held on Saturday morning at Watermark Church in North Dallas.

On August 29, Burks, a rookie police officer, was sitting in his patrol car in Oak Cliff when 30-year-old Corey Cobb-Bey approached and shot Burks in what Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia called "an execution."

At Saturday's memorial, Burks was described as a man of honor, courage and determination.

"We all have one thing in common, we’re heartbroken, angry and we grieve," said Garcia.

Cherie Jeffrey, Officer Burks' mother, had a close bond with her son. 

"Darron had love for everybody. Darron saw good in everybody," she told the crowd.

Jeffrey thanked the Dallas Police Department and the whole community for helping her family heal.

She asked for anyone who needs help to call her.

"I will do my best, my very best, because that's what my son would do," Jeffrey said.

Chief Garcia mentioned the anger and the grief that his department is feeling, he focused most of his attention on who Officer Burks was as a person.

Garcia talked about Burks as someone who came to policing late in life, after working as a math teacher for 17 years.

Once he was on the force, Garcia talked about his calming presence at scenes and how he spoke to people as a person, not an officer.

"We didn't realize it at the time, but Darron Burks never stopped teaching. We learned that an educator doesn't have to have a white board or stand in front of a classroom," Garcia said. "Instead of math, he taught us all life lessons."

During the ceremony, Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson said that Officer Burks embodied the best that Dallas has to offer.

Johnson also said Burks' badge number, 12543, will be displayed on the Omni Hotel in remembrance of the fallen officer.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott approved flying the state and US flags at half-staff in Dallas on Saturday in Burks' honor.

"The First Lady and I extend prayers of comfort for the Burks family during their time of grief, and we urge all Texans to remember and honor Officer Burks' service as a dedicated and trusted law enforcement officer," wrote Abbott in a statement.

Cecilia Abbott and members of law enforcement agencies from across the country came to attend the funeral.

Following the funeral, a police procession escorted Burks to the cemetery.

Fellow police officers and family members held a private burial ceremony.

Teacher Turned Police Officer

Burks graduated from Lake Highlands High School in 1988. He went on to study at Paul Quinn College, where he was a member of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity.

He went on to become a math teacher at Texas Can Academy's Pleasant Grove campus from June 2006 to February 2023.

Texas Can officials described Burks as "an excellent educator" and a "mentor to countless students."

Burks made the transition from teacher to officer after entering the Dallas Police Academy in 2023.

He graduated from the academy in December 2023.

"He was an amazing individual," Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia told "Fox & Friends First" Friday. "He epitomized what it meant to wear this uniform…he chose this profession in his calling, and this calling chose him as well." 

After the shooting on August 29, a memorial was set up for Burks outside of DPD headquarters.

Members of the community, fellow officers and officers from surrounding departments stopped by to pay their respects, leave mementos or lay flowers.

"He was only a police officer for about a year and a half, but left such an impact not only on this department – he lived an unbelievable life. His academy mates yesterday during the vigil – he was older when he entered the academy –  they all looked up to him, and they said that he was the best representation of their class, and he will be missed," Chief Garcia said.

Officer Burks ‘Executed’ by ‘Coward’

Around 10:02 p.m., police say Corey Cobb-Bey parked in the For Oak Cliff Community Center parking lot on Ledbetter Road near Marsalis Avenue. Shortly after, Officer Burks pulled into the parking lot as well. 

While recording on his phone, Cobb-Bey approached Burks and talked to him through the window.

"The suspect then pulled out a handgun and executed Officer Burks as he sat in his vehicle," Chief Garcia said.

A police dispatcher heard a strange transmission coming from Burks’ radio. When the dispatcher could not reach Burks, they used Burks' GPS location to find him and sent backup officers there.

Chief Garcia says Cobb-Bey returned to his car to grab a shotgun and placed it on top of Burks’ squad car.

At 10:11 p.m., Dallas Police Senior Corporal Jamie Farmer pulled into the parking lot. Cobb-Bey then immediately started shooting at Farmer with his handgun, Garcia says.

Officer Farmer returned fire and ran across the parking lot. Garcia says Cobb-Bey grabbed the shotgun he placed on top of the squad car and fired one shot at Farmer. He was hit once in the leg.

At 10:12 p.m. Senior Corporal Karissa David pulled up to the parking lot entrance. Chief Garcia says Cobb-Bey ran towards the officer and shot her several times as she got out of her squad car.

Officer David returned fire but was shot in the face.

As more backup arrived, Cobb-Bey drove off, and a chase ensued.

Cobb-Bey was shot and killed by officers in Lewisville.

David and Farmer were both taken to the hospital.

Farmer has since been released.