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Who Was Officer Brent Thompson, First Identified Officer Gunned Down By Dallas Sniper?

By Tylie Eaves
Published on: 04:57 PST, Jul 8, 2016

Brent Thompson, age 43, was the first officer identified as a victim of the Dallas sniper shootings that took place yesterday evening. Officer Thompson passed away as a result of the injuries he sustained in the incident. Now, the world is getting a glimpse of who officer Brent Thompson really was.

In an article by USA Today, James Spiller, the chief of the Dallas Area Rapid Transit Police Department (DART), spoke highly of Officer Thompson. He also revealed to reporters that Thompson was in great spirits thanks to his recent wedding. Brent was married to another DART officer.

He was a resident of Carrollton, which is a suburb located northwest of Dallas. Spillers went on to say that Thompson was married within the last two weeks, a fact that adds to the heartbreaking nature of his death. He went on to say that “we will definitely miss him, and we are also making sure that his family is taking care of.”

Thompson was also a father and grandfather. He joined DART in 2009 and will go on record as the very first officer from the department to be killed in the line of duty. Authorities have confirmed that the other four officers who were gunned down in the attack were part of the Dallas Police Department.

Chief Spillers told CNN on Friday that “Brent was a great officer. He was an outstanding patrol officer as well as a rail officer.” Brent Thompson will forever be noted for his admirable service during his time with the department.

Before joining DART, Officer Thompson worked at DynCorp international, a private security company headquartered in McLean, Virginia. While with DynCorp, Thompson’s duties included acting as an instructor for the Iraqi and Afghan police in the skills necessary for “democratic policing.” Officer Thompson advised Afghan officers on how to avoid an ambush as part of his training. He was even highlighted in a New York Times article in 2006 for his work with DynCorp and the Afghan police.

Between 2001 and 2004, Brent Thompson was an instructor at the Navarro Police Academy in Texas. He graduated from the academy in 1996. While there, he taught specialized training courses in basic SWAT, tactical firearms, active shooter, and urban rifle.

In the hours since Brent Thompson was identified, images of his family life and his good nature have flooded the internet.

Condolences and heartfelt messages have been extended to the DART Police Department as well as Thompson’s family and friends, and especially to his new bride.

News reports from CNN and other major outlets have flooded the airwaves with their own messages and coverage of the tragic event. It is safe to say the grief will only continue to grow as the other officers who were victimized by yesterday’s sniper shootings are identified and additional insight into their lives is made public. The Inquisitr sends heartfelt condolences to the friends and family of all the victims and those whose lives will be forever changed by yesterday’s events. Our thoughts are with you.

[Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images]

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