Dallas Police Show Support, Understanding To Tulsa Police Department

As Tulsa grieves the loss of Sergeant Craig Johnson, today marks four years since the loss of five officers in Dallas. Two Dallas police officers shared words of support for Tulsa police and the Tulsa community. 

"My heart goes to the department and every single one of those officers,"​ Dallas Police Sergeant, Ivan Gunter, said. 

Gunter said today is an emotional day for the entire Dallas Police Department and community. It's a day they lost five brothers in blue when a sniper ambushed officers in downtown Dallas back in 2016. 

"This is a wound that doesn't heal you learn from it you learn from the officers," Gunter said.

"It doesn't go away, it feels like a void," Dallas officer, Major Juan Salas, added. ​

In the wake of the shooting that killed Tulsa Police Sergeant, Craig Johnson, and injured Officer Aurash Zarkeshan, Gunter and Salas said it is important for officers to talk to one another about their grief.

​"Its okay to feel sadness. Yes, we wear a bulletproof vest, yes, we have a badge, but we are still human beings. It is okay to feel bad," Salas said. ​

Tulsa and Dallas share even more connections. Just like the memorial for Sergeant Johnson in front of the Mingo Valley Division, the community showed similar support in Dallas. When Dallas held funerals for their officers, Tulsa police were there. ​

Mark Secrist is the president of the Tulsa Fraternal Order of Police. He was an honor guard member and remembers when several guard members traveled to Dallas as well as Baton Rouge, Louisiana. 

"We feel the same thing that they feel right now for us and we felt the same thing for them when they lost their officers. I can't say it enough, it's a brotherhood and a sisterhood," Secrist said. ​

 As Tulsa prepares to lay Sergeant Johnson to rest, Gunter and Salas want police to know, Dallas stands with them.​

"To all police departments, especially Tulsa at this point in time our prayers, our goodwill, and our hopes are riding on you," Gunter said. 

"Being that we've been there before, we know that, and we are definitely praying for you guys and know that this too shall pass, it might take some time, but it will pass," Salas said. 

Sergeant Gunter said the Dallas Police Department is not letting officers travel for funerals because of COVID-19, and therefore will not attend Johnson's funeral on Thursday. He said his department will be there in spirit and is praying for the whole Tulsa community during this difficult time. ​