Hundreds gathered at a county courthouse in Texas Sunday in remembrance of a Texas state trooper who was shot and killed during a traffic stop on Thanksgiving.
Trooper Damon Allen, 41, was fatally shot with a rifle at around 4 p.m. Thursday near Fairfield, Texas, about 90 miles southeast of Dallas, after initiating a traffic stop, police said.
Police on Friday charged Dabrett Black, 32, with capital murder of a law enforcement officer in connection with Allen’s death. Black allegedly shot Allen as he returned to his police vehicle.
Allen, who had been with the Texas Department of Public Safety since 2002, is survived by his wife Kasey, three daughters and a son, according to his obituary.
Family, friends and colleagues of Allen gathered for prayer at the Freestone County Courthouse in Fairfield Sunday night to honor and remember the fallen officer.
People surrounded a Texas Highway Patrol vehicle with candles, teddy bears and star-shaped balloons with the colors of the American flag on them. Others placed cards, photos and handwritten posters, including some that hailed Allen as “a true hero,” on the black and white cruiser.
“This community comes together and has each other’s back in a time of need, and that’s what we’re doing for her family today,” one vigil attendee, Brittnay Marberry, told local news station KXAS on Sunday. “They put their life on the line for us, and they don’t get the respect they deserve.”
Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued a statement Friday, sending his condolences to the officer’s family and ordering flags to be lowered to half-staff.
“The tragic death of Trooper Damon Allen is a sad and sobering reminder of the risks our men and women in uniform take every day,” said Governor Abbott. “Cecilia and I extend our deepest condolences to his family and friends during this unimaginably difficult time.”
“As flags are lowered, I call on all Texans to join me in prayer for Trooper Allen and the entire law enforcement community who keep us safe,” he added.
Funeral Services for Allen will be held Friday at 10 a.m. at the Mexia High School football stadium.
