The father Terrell Cowherd, a good Samaritan who was fatally beaten and stabbed while trying to stop a fight in Dallas on Saturday, said his son was a man who loved God, cared about humanity and loved people.
Cowherd’s family arrived in Dallas Sunday afternoon to claim his body and take care of his affairs. At his 26-year-old son’s apartment, Terrence Cowherd, Sr., shared some things about his son with NBC 5.
The victim's father, a religious man, said he's never been tested like this. With a tattered Bible on the table in front of him, he spoke of a son who was about to make a difference in the world.
Terrell Cowherd Jr., was on the Dean's List at Prairie View A&M, where he earned his engineering degree. He was now working for an oil company in Dallas and was engaged to be married.
"He always said, 'Dad and Mom, thank you for everything,'” recalled Cowherd. “'Thank you for all you've given me, thank you for all you've done.' And you know what I would say to him? 'Thank you son.'"
Cowherd took us through his son's apartment to brag on him a bit. Showing off his college degree along with some certificates and awards for his volunteerism. But equally on the top of Cowherd's mind is how his son died so pointlessly. He said he'll have a tough time forgiving the two men charged with his murder.
In a Sunday afternoon news conference, Dallas Police said 23-year-old Julian Terence Martin, Jr. was arrested for stabbing Cowherd to death on Greenville Avenue early Saturday morning. Another man, Jerry Brown, Jr. was arrested in connection with this case.
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"There is no way they should ever, ever see the light of day again,” said Cowherd. “This could be your brother, your sister, your mother, your daughter. You're just going to come out and snuff somebody's life out who's never done anything to anybody in his life."
Cowherd said he feels some comfort knowing his son is at peace and even though he only lived 26 years, he lived them to the fullest.
Luminant Statement
As an engineer for Luminant, Cowherd prepared mine permits for the Texas Railroad Commission. On Sunday evening, the Dallas based company issued this statement:
We are extremely saddened by the tragic death this weekend of Luminant employee Terrell Cowherd.
The Dallas Police Department reports Cowherd, age 26, was stabbed to death early Saturday morning while trying to defuse a street altercation in Dallas. Police made one arrest Saturday and on Sunday announced a second arrest of the man they believe did the stabbing and charged him with murder.
Kim Mireles, vice president of environmental services at Luminant, worked with Cowherd and said she was shocked at learning of the death of one of her team members, “He was known as one of the kindest and friendliest people on our staff, always smiling and cordial, “ she said. “It is not surprising that Terrell interceded in an altercation to calm the situation. Terrell exuded leadership qualities at a very young age,” she added.
“He’ll be missed by everyone who knew him, particularly his Luminant family,” Mireles said.
Cowherd began what would have been a long and fruitful career with Luminant on November 5, 2012. A graduate in civil engineering from Prairie View A&M University, he came to Luminant after being employed with the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department. He was employed with Luminant as an associate engineer for environmental services in the mining department and had the lead for preparing and submitting mine permits to the Railroad Commission of Texas for the company’s Monticello and Thermo Mines.
In learning of the death of Cowherd, Luminant chief executive officer Mac McFarland said, “Although we’re a company of 4,400 employees doing many different jobs at our plants and mines across the state as we provide electric power for Texas, we’re still a family and feel a deep sense of loss from Terrell’s death. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family,” said McFarland.
“As we all grieve, I also want express my thanks on behalf of all Luminant employees to Chief David Brown and the Dallas Police Department for their fine work in quickly making arrests,” added McFarland.
