At DPD HQ Today, A Stop Along the 2,000-Mile Journey Across Texas to Honor Fallen Officers

Not half an hour after David Brown was sworn in as Dallas's newest police chief at 3 p.m. sharp today, a caravan of police officers on bicycles rolled up to Dallas Police Department HQ. They're participating in an annual 2,000-mile ride through the state -- the so-called "We Remember" Memorial...

By Spike Johnson

May 4, 2010

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Not half an hour after David Brown was sworn in as Dallas's newest police chief at 3 p.m. sharp today, a caravan of police officers on bicycles rolled up to Dallas Police Department HQ. They're participating in an annual 2,000-mile ride through the state -- the so-called "We Remember" Memorial Trek Across Texas -- during which the riders are stopping in various cities to pay tribute to fellow officers who've lost their lives in active duty. This year's visit to Dallas served as a tribute to Senior Corporal Norman Smith, who was killed in January 2009 while serving an aggravated assault warrant.

The cyclists were met by the new chief, along with members of the gang unit to which Smith belonged; also there was his widow, Lt. Regina Smith. Heads were bowed, prayers were said, and a wreath was presented to the Dallas Police Honor Guard. Last May, you may recall, a Canadian police officer came to DPD HQ in a Hummer decorated with the names of Smith and Victor Lozada, who was killed in '08 while escorting Hillary Clinton's motorcade.

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