Hundreds of police officers from different departments filled a church along Highway 360 Wednesday morning for the funeral of Arlington Police Officer Darrin McMichael. McMichael was hit and killed by a hit-and-run driver on I-20 in Dallas County last week.
At his funeral, Arlington Fire hoisted an American flag over the driveway in front of Crossroads Christian Church. Inside, officers and friends talked about McMichael's life.
"Your death has broken my heart," motorcycle Officer Eddie Chappell said. "I'm really going to miss our early morning text messages every single day before work. I'll miss our 9 a.m. coffee breaks at the RaceTrac, eating lunch with you every day, our motorcycle trips, smoking cigars with you, [and] drinking bourbon. I'll miss your encouraging words, your sound advice, your big ol' smile, your laughs, your hugs, [and] most of all your friendship. You will never be forgotten, and your family will be taken care of."
Wyatt Beard had known McMichael since kindergarten.
"I've been wrestling with what to say," Beard said. "How do you sum up your best friend's life in just a few short words?"
Beard continued, saying he now lives ten hours away, but whenever he needed McMichael, he would be there. He also talked to McMichael's family.
"We may not understand why this happened, but I do know this: through time, through scripture and through prayer, we'll find comfort through Christ knowing he is resting with our lord," he said.
Arlington Police Chief Al Jones said the sacrifices police officers make are felt by their families.
"In this case, it was a sacrifice shared by he and Lynette, a shared commitment to protecting and serving our community," Jones said.
Rich Burgin, a chaplain for Arlington Police, read a letter written by McMichael's wife.
"I won't say goodbye because there is nothing good to say about this day," Burgin read from the letter. "I will see you later. Until then, give them hell up there."
The Dallas County Sheriff's Office is investigating the crash that killed McMichael. He was riding his motorcycle to work at about 6:05 a.m. last Thursday when the department says he bumped another car westbound on I-20 near the 175 interchange when traffic slowed. When he stopped, he was hit by another car which drove off.
Crime Stoppers is offering a $5,000 reward, and Oak Farms Dairy is offering an additional $15,000 for information that leads to an arrest and conviction.
The Dallas County Sheriff's Office has been asking businesses near the I-20/Highway 175 interchange to share surveillance video. They have also been urging truckers who record dashcam to contact them if they were near that interchange around 6 a.m. last Thursday.
People with information can call the sheriff's office at (214) 749-5189 or North Texas Crime Stoppers at (877) 373-8477.
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