Community shows support for Dallas police after deadly shooting

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A memorial is growing outside the Dallas police substation where a slain officer worked.

Citizens and fellow officers came by the northeast police substation throughout the day on Wednesday to drop off flowers, cards, food and show their respect.

Officer Rogelio Santander died Wednesday after being shot responding to a call at a northeast Dallas Home Depot on Tuesday afternoon. Officer Crystal Almeida was also shot and remains hospitalized in critical condition.

Support for the officers and their families are being shown in many ways -- posts on social media as well as posters, flowers and little notes at locations across Dallas.

Nurses and other medical staff gathered in prayer and a show of support outside of Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital where Santander passed away on Wednesday.

At the Cathedral Guadalupe in Downtown Dallas Wednesday evening, bells tolled in memory of Officer Santander. They rang 27 times for each year of his life. Several officers attended the mass that was dedicated to the fallen officer.

"They wanted the congregation to remember him to see his face and then to have the candles around him to provide illumination, much as the way he provided light in our community through his service,” explained Annette Gonzales Taylor with the Diocese of Dallas.

Students from Judge Barefoot Sanders Law Magnet at Townview joined hands in a prayer circle outside Dallas police headquarters just after the news was announced Wednesday morning. Flags flew at half-staff at city hall and DPD headquarters at the request of Mayor Mike Rawlings in honor of the two officers and one civilian shot.

Students from Hamilton Park Magnet School wanted to say thank you by dropping off cards of appreciation. Their school was on lockdown Tuesday as the officer-involved shooting and manhunt unfolded near their building.

“I said thank you for your service and all that, I decorated it with stickers,” said second-grader Dean Hauglie said.

Andrea Hauglie, the Hamilton Park community liaison, said it’s sad to see more Dallas officers get killed and hurt.

“We want to make sure these guys know how important it is and what these guys over here risk to keep us safe and to take care of us,” Hauglie said.

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