It’s been one year since the shooting death of rookie Dallas police officer Darron Burks.
On Friday evening, friends came together to honor his life at the location where he was gunned down while sitting in his squad car. Balloons with handwritten notes were released in the parking lot at For Oak Cliff Community Center in an emotional tribute.
“He always took time out of his schedule to be there for us, no matter what the situation was,” Greg Allmon, longtime friend and fraternity brother.
His friends, classmates, community and members of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated gathered to share prayers and memories about a man who meant so much to so many people.
“He was intentional about leaving things better than what he found them. That’s how he treated everybody, and that’s how he treated every situation that he was involved in,” Allmon said.
Ahead of Friday evening’s event, Officer Burks’ best friend, Andrea Scott, sat down with NBC 5 to talk about how the past year has been since his loss.
“My mind won’t let me think that he’s not here anymore,” said Scott.
It’s been a year, and Scott said her new normal hasn’t quite set in. Just weeks ago, she experienced her first birthday in years without Burks.
“I’m not used to him not calling, not sending me videos. He normally texts me at 12:01 or 12:02. He would send me a video,” she said. “It’s still unbelievable that he’s not here.”
In an instant, the friend she’d known for decades was gone. Burks was parked at the community center on East Ledbetter Drive on the night of August 29, 2024, when he was shot by a man who approached his squad car.
The man was later identified as Corey Cobb-Bey. Former Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia said Cobb-Bey approached Burks on foot and talked to him briefly. He said that within a matter of seconds, he pulled out a gun and shot Burks in his car.
Scott remembers the phone call she received that night.
“On my way there, I’m praying, I’m calling people,” she said.
She bypassed the frenzy outside of the hospital. That’s where she heard the news that Burks had died.
“It was a faint type of moment,” she said. “I wanted to pass out, I just couldn’t believe it. I just never would’ve thought it would happen to him of all people, because he was such a great guy.”
In the days following Burks’ death, a flood of condolences and an overwhelming show of support began pouring in.
Burks was a Dallas native, an alumnus of Paul Quinn College, and an educator for several years before making a career transition to law enforcement. He also volunteered with the Boy Scouts of America.
Scott said she wasn’t at all surprised by the lives he’d touched and the stories people shared.
“I honestly knew that who they’re describing is the person that he was. He was very loyal. His friends were his family, so he kept them close,” she said.
Scott and Burks were as close as two best friends could be. From time spent as students at Paul Quinn, to hours-long conversations, and workout sessions together, she said they never went more than a couple of days without communicating.
“He loved fitness, faith, family and friendship. Those were his things, and he made sure he covered all his bases with those things,” she said
The past year has had its ups and downs, but she remains inspired and encouraged.
“He’s still with me,” she said. “I truly feel it.”