Hundreds honor fallen Richardson Police officer with candlelight vigil

Hundreds attended a Sunday night vigil for 37-year-old fallen Richardson Police Officer David Sherrard.

Sherrard’s wife, two daughters and other family members were in the audience. He was shot and killed Wednesday night.

Tributes since Officer Sherrard’s passing include more than $135,000 donated for his family through the Assist the Officer Foundation. He is the first Richardson Police officer to be killed in the line of duty.

"These are the darkest days of the Richardson Police Department,” said police chief Jim Spivey. "We've lost an amazing part of our police department. A leader. The guy who picked us up. The guy who carried us."

The show of support for Officer Sherrard’s family shows love is greater than the tragedy of the city's first police officer killed in the line of duty.

Sherrard's wife and children sat surrounded by his fellow SWAT members, elected officials and community members. Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis promised to seek justice in his killing before honoring his sacrifice.

"He gave his life Wednesday to protect others. Both his community and his brothers in blue," he said.

But the most emotional tribute came from Sherrard's sister, Cristal Goings, as she wiped tears, “I knew from the day he was born that he was special," she said. "He was always considered a hero. It doesn't matter who you talk to. Everyone considered him their best friend."

Some of Officer Sherarrd’s closest friends were also snipers, part of the SWAT unit that worked the disturbance call Wednesday that resulted in Sherrard's death.

They spoke of how deeply Sherrard loved his family and his desire to always perfect his craft as a police officer.

A visitation is Monday night at First Baptist Church in Richardson and funeral is Tuesday afternoon at Watermark church.

Brandon McCall, the man accused of killing Officer Sherrard is also accused of killing Rene Gamez. Police say Gamez allowed McCall to stay at his apartment because he had nowhere else to go. McCall has been charged with capital murder in the death of Officer Sherrard. Police have not yet filed charges for the shooting death of Gamez. McCall is being held without bail at the Collin County Jail.