Teen killed by Balch Springs officer remembered for his 16th birthday

The family of a teen killed in a Balch Springs officer-involved shooting gathered Sunday to celebrate what would have been his 16th birthday last Wednesday.

Fifteen year old Jordan Edwards was shot and killed while leaving a party in April.

At Sunday's gathering, signs of Jordan Edwards were all around - from the miniature goal posts to remember the young Mesquite football player to the Alabama Crimson Tide cake and decorations for his favorite college team to the goodie bags demanding "justice for Jordan".

The only thing missing was Jordan himself.

"This kid meant a lot to a lot of people, it's just so hard," said Kenneth Pendleton, Edwards' former football coach. "I miss seeing him, without him being here, I want to see him on the field, I want to see him continue on, but I know the circumstances."

Edwards would have turned 16 last Wednesday, experiencing the excitment of getting his driver's license.

"He was supposed to start driving school in August," said Edwards' mother, Charmaine Edwards.

His family decided to take  what might have been a painful day and turn it into a celebration.

"Because everyone was so sad about what happened, I just wanted it to be a happy moment to celebrate what would've been his 16th birthday, just for everybody to get together and have fun and do the stuff he liked to do," said Charmaine Edwards. "If you would've known him, you would've loved him.He was a good kid, smart, and he was a people person. And he just loved being around his family and friends. That was him."

Former Balch Springs officer Roy Oliver was indicted for Edwards' murder.

The trial is expected to begin next year.