The Dallas Police Department's Southwest Division suffered the greatest loss of life in the July 7, 2016, ambush on police officers. Three of the five officers killed that night were assigned to the Southwest Division.
One year later, the commander of that evening shift is opening up about the harrowing events and how the division continues to heal.
During Thursday's roll call, about two dozen officers were getting ready for their night shift in a room where the three fallen officers now symbolize sacrifice on the Roll Call Wall of Honor.
"One year has passed, doesn't make it any easier," Sgt. Ivan Gunter said.
"We're always going to remember what happened, and we gotta remember that whatever happens, we always go home," Sgt. Alan Villarreal added.
Lt. Juan Salas remembers July 7 vividly.
Senior Cpl. Lorne Ahrens, Officer Michael Krol and Officer Patrick Zamarripa were all assigned to a specially trained unit called the Foxtrots that had been assigned to what appeared to be a peaceful protest in downtown Dallas that night.
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Salas stayed at the division, but was closely monitoring the situation when he watched the unthinkable unfold on national TV.
"At that time he panned into the intersection of where my officers had fallen, I actually recognized one of my officers on the ground and my supervisor trying to help Officer Zamarripa get up, and I recognized that was my officer," Salas said.
With a sinking heart, Salas says he headed straight to the scene. There are few words for what he witnessed.
"My faith has helped me a lot through all the circumstances," Salas said. That includes the painful task of notifying family members of the Foxtrot fallen and more.
"I was in the plane that went to deliver Michael Krol's body to Michigan. We had to take him home, and Michigan was his home," he said.
If anything, Salas says the tragic events of July 7 have made the division stronger, wiser and even more resilient.
"I'm very proud of my watch. I don't think I tell them enough, they go out and try to do the best that they can," he said.
After all, Salas says helping others is a calling, and the final call for these three officers is an emotional reminder every day.
"I tell my youngest daughter, Mija, 'If I don't come back, know that your dad was doing something he loved.' Think about that. And I hug 'em, and I say, 'Know that your daddy didn't have to go to work, it wasn't a job. It was something that he loved to do,'" Salas said.
Just before roll call was finished Thursday at DPD's Southwest Division, Villarreal closed by saying to his officers, "Guys, all I want for any of you all is to be careful and go home, and I mean that from the bottom of my heart."
The division has seen a tremendous amount of support from the community, including hand-made stars that dangle on trees wrapped with blue ribbons.
