What to Know
- Arlington police officer fell off his motorcycle after bumping into an SUV and was then hit by another vehicle, investigators say.
- The officer was identified as 24-year police veteran Darrin McMichael. The officer's widow is also an employee of the police department.
- The driver who struck McMichael drove away after the crash and is the subject of a hit-and-run investigation.
The search continues for the hit-and-run driver who fatally struck an Arlington police officer Thursday morning after he fell off his motorcycle in a minor traffic crash.
Thursday evening an Arlington police cruiser became a memorial to fallen officer Darrin McMichael.
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The Pantego Fire Department brought flowers to lay on the car.
Grand Prairie police officer Mark Beseda brought his daughter to leave a department patch in support.
"Anytime a police officer is killed like you said it affects us all,” Grand Prairie officer Mark Beseda said. “It affects the citizens. It affects our children."
According to officials, the crash occurred at about 6:10 a.m. along Interstate 20 near St. Augustine Drive, near Interstate 20 and Dowdy Ferry Road in Southern Dallas County.
Officials said the fatal crash occurred as cars were coming to a stop in the left lane. The officer, identified as 24-year veteran Darrin McMichael, was riding a motorcycle at the time.
As the cars slowed in front of him, investigators said he could not stop in time and bumped into an SUV, officials said. After hitting the SUV, McMichael fell off his bike, and a dark-colored Dodge or Chrysler-type vehicle ran over him.
The driver of the dark-colored vehicle drove off, driving between the officer's bike and the median wall on the left side of the interstate to get away, officials said. No further information about the vehicle that struck McMichael has been released.
According to officials, McMichael was transported to Baylor Medical Center in Dallas where he was later pronounced deceased.
Officer Darrin McMichael was a respected and beloved member of our APD family. We are heartbroken and we are hurting. This is a devastating loss that will be felt for a long time. Please pray for his wife, who is also an APD employee, his family, his friends, and his APD family. They need all the support they can get right now.
Arlington Chief of Police Al Jones
The department said McMichael had been a member of their Motorcycle Unit for 13 years. He also served as a patrol officer and as a detective in the North Patrol District during his career with the Arlington Police Department.
"As I said before that is probably one of the most visible units that we have," Jones said. "He was loved by our community. He spent a lot of time out there and he is going to be truly missed. Not only by the department but by our community."
Chief Al Jones said McMichael's widow is also an employee of the Arlington Police Department and, after spending the morning with their family at the hospital, asked for prayers and support for their family as they grieve.
Jones confirmed the officer's wife was also headed to work at the time of the crash and was traveling behind him when the collision took place.
"She was behind him. Unfortunately, she had to witness this tragic incident," Jones said.
The chief said he wants his officers to know they have his full support and that if they need help or peer counseling the department will provide as much support as they can. Jones added that it will be a very troubling time over the next couple of weeks as the city's police force deals with the loss.
"I want to make sure each and every one of them are getting the help," Jones said. "If they need peer counseling they are getting that help. Just trying to make sure as an organization we are providing them as much support as we possibly can."
"As a former police officer, it always strikes home when something like this happens. We ask that people pray for the family and the colleagues who are there suffering as a result of this tragic incident," said Arlington Mayor Jim Ross, who is also the father of an Arlington police lieutenant. "It's like losing a brother when something like this happens. It's always in the back of your mind but you're never fully prepared for it."
Dustin Schellenger is the state director of Texas Law Enforcement Peer Network(TLEPN) which offers help to officers state-wide 24/7. He explains why having support is important.
"Sometimes the most important thing is to have somebody that can relate to what you are going through," Schellenger said. "Empathize with the scenario. Has been there before. Walked that same road and is able to offer support and understanding."
The chief confirmed that officers headed into work are considered to be on duty. Jones said McMichael is the ninth officer in the city's history to have been killed in the line of duty.
Because of where the crash occurred, the Dallas County Sheriff's Office has jurisdiction and will be investigating the crash.
ARLINGTON POLICE OFFICER DARRIN MCMICHAEL
"Number one, it's always hard working major accidents involving injuries and anything like that. But any time it involves a, a law enforcement officer, it's really tough because it's one of your brothers or sisters," said Doug Sisk, with the Dallas County Sheriff's Office. "And so it's working, working in accidents, working any kind of calls that involve law enforcement. It's hard because, like I said, they're part of your family."
Deputies said they are looking for anyone with dashcam footage of the crash as it could aid in their investigation. Anyone with tips should call the Dallas County Sheriff's Office vehicle crime unit Detective Chaney at 214-589-2323.
The westbound lanes of I-20 were closed while officers continued their investigation into the incident. The lanes were reopened shortly before 9 a.m. on Thursday.
