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Dallas, Texas – The city of Dallas is in mourning over the tragic loss of Officer Darron Burks, a rookie member of the Dallas Police Department who was fatally shot while on duty Thursday night.

The incident occurred in the Oak Cliff area of the city. According to reports, Officer Burks was sitting in his patrol car, in the process of responding to a call when he was ambushed by a suspect. Additional officers were responding to the initial shooting of Officer Burks when the suspect subsequently produced a long gun, firing at and injuring two more officers. The suspect was ultimately killed by members of law enforcement following a brief pursuit. 

Friday morning, the news of the tragic death of Officer Burks spread quickly and sent shockwaves through the city – drawing statements from law enforcement agencies across the metroplex including the Arlington and Burleson police departments and the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office. City leaders also offered statements of condolences to the families of Officer Burks and those injured. “Dallas has lost a hero,” Mayor Eric Johnson said in a statement released Friday morning. “We all grieve with the officer’s family today, and we pray for a full and swift recovery for the two officers who were wounded.” 

According to friends, Officer Burks will be remembered as a proud son of Dallas. Tarnica Durham, longtime friend of Burks, says he was “a prominent face in the community”. A graduate of Lake Highlands High School, the fallen officer had deep roots in several Dallas communities. Before launching his second career and joining the police force, Burks served as a math teacher and coach for 17-years at Texas Can Academies, a free public charter district dedicated to helping students recovering from dropout earn their high school diploma. 

“During his time with us, Mr. Burks made a lasting impact as a math teacher, instructional coach, and mentor,” the district said in a statement Friday. “His commitment to education and the community profoundly touched the lives of countless students and colleagues. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and the Dallas Police Department during this difficult time. His legacy of service will be deeply missed.”

While Burks was a dedicated member of his law enforcement family and a beloved educator, his reach and impact went beyond even the badge and classroom. A proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, one of the Divine Nine’s historically Black Greek organizations, Burks was also a pillar of Black Greek life in Dallas. 

“Darron Burks had a gravitational force that pulled people toward him that I’ve never encountered before,” said Austin Howell, friend, member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, and founder of Dallas Greek Socialites. “He treated anyone he met like family, he was selfless, honorable, and was revered within the city of Dallas. I’ve never heard one person speak negatively about him, nor him speak negatively about anyone. The entire city weeps in his memory.”

Officer Burks attended and graduated from Paul Quinn College where he pledged and was initiated into Zeta Eta “Zulu” Chapter of Omega Psi Phi in 2002. His status as a Man of Omega connected him to a network of over 250,000 brothers who shared his values of scholarship, service, and leadership. “His love for service, Omega, and leadership was evident”, Durham told the Dallas Weekly.

Still, Burks also shared another special connection – one with the women of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated – through a bond rooted in a shared history and mutual respect between Omega Psi Phi and Delta Sigma Theta, often referred to as “Coleman Love”.

“Coleman Love” was born at Howard University when one of Omega’s founders, Professor Frank Coleman, while a student at Howard, dated and later married Edna Brown Coleman, one of the founders of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. This connection has been passed down through generations, fostering a sense of camaraderie, support, and shared values. 

Upon his 2002 crossing over to be an Omega man, Officer Burks inherited a bond that would connect him to over 350,000 sisters all across the globe, including former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, award winning actress Sheryl Lee Ralph, and Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett (TX-District 30). 

Congresswoman Crockett, who’d been traveling Thursday night says that she learned of the fatal officer shooting that had taken place in her district late Thursday. According to Congresswoman Crockett, upon hearing the news, she instructed her team to immediately make contact with the fallen officer’s family and to keep her abreast of the injured officers’ progress. 

Congresswoman Crockett though wouldn’t learn that the fallen officer was Darron Burks, her personal friend, until Friday afternoon. Moments after the congresswoman had learned the identity of the officer, she was asked about the passing of Burks, whom she’d served as a Congresswoman, shared the Coleman Love bond through their Greek organizations, and been a friend to. A distraught Crockett responded brokenly, “…nothing profound, truly just sad”. “You knew him…you know that he, in real life, was one of the kindest people you’d ever meet. It’s just inexplicable.” 

A recent graduate of the academy, Burks’ decision to join the police department was a testament to his commitment to public service and his desire to make a positive impact on the lives of others. As a police officer, Burks served with distinction, protecting and serving the city he loved. 

“Burks was special because amid the evolving craziness of the world, he saw the good and wanted to do good,” said LaDrica Derrico, a close friend and member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. “He believed he could invoke change through action and pouring into people and communities which you saw him do as a teacher, counselor, trainer, officer, man of Omega Psi Phi and most importantly, friend.”

Burks’ legacy and memory as an officer, dedicated public servant and figure in Black Greek society continues to build throughout the city. “Burks was truly a gem,” according to Durham. “He had an inviting spirit that made everyone he knew part of his family. Selflessly, he consistently put the needs of others before himself, ensuring that they were well taken care of.” 

The news of Officer Burks’ death has been met with an outpouring of grief and support from hundreds of members of Black Greek organizations sharing memories on social media about his commitment to his community. “He was a safe space. [Neither] the Dallas nor Greek community will ever be the same without him,” Durham told the Dallas Weekly. “I don’t think Dallas and the Divine Nine Greeks have begun to scratch the surface on the magnitude of this loss,” Derrico added.

Still his death has sparked a deeper conversation about the challenges friends are facing in a more connected, but increasingly busy and isolated society. Congresswoman Crockett initiated this discussion, writing on social media, “It’s times like this that I feel like the worst friend in the world. I miss out on so much of what’s going on in my friend’s lives… yet they have always stood with & supported me. I had no idea that last night, my friend, a funny, salt of the earth, kind soul, had selflessly become Officer Burks & lost his life in the line of duty.” 

“Please please please just text one friend to get an update on their lives, today,” Crockett pleaded with followers. “While I know tomorrow isn’t promised to anyone, it doesn’t stop the pain nor tears that are flowing,” Crockett continued in a post commemorating her friend. 

As support pours in, events to honor Officer Darron Burks are beginning to crop up across several Dallas communities. 

• A vigil service will be held by members of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity to honor his memory. The memorial will take place at 6pm Friday, August 30 at 907 E. Ledbetter Drive. 

• An additional candlelight vigil is being held Friday night from 7:11 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Winners Smokehouse, 1435 N. Hwy 67 Suite 200 in Cedar Hill. 

The post Beyond the Badge: Dallas PD Officer Darron Burks’ Death Echoes Across Black Greek Society appeared first on Dallas Weekly.