Funeral held Friday for DPS trooper killed in Mexia

MEXIA, Texas - Family and fellow officers said goodbye to the Department of Public Safety trooper murdered on Thanksgiving. Day.

Trooper Damon Allen was shot and killed during a traffic stop in Mexia, about 90 miles southeast of Dallas. His funeral was held Friday morning at the Mexia High School football stadium. Interment services followed at a cemetery near Freestone.

An estimated 3,000 officers from around the state and the U.S. attended Friday’s service.

"It makes me think about my family knowing any day could be the last day,” said Cedar Hill PD Ofc. Don Crymes. “I hug my family when I leave. "

Rex Evans, Cleveland ISD Police Chief, said Allen never hesitated and never faltered in his calling to be a law enforcement officer.

"Like so many of us, he left his wife, three children, his family that morning to do what he loved and swore to do,” Evans said.

Allen's pastor, Bryan Hallmark, spoke at the service.

"I think if I asked have you ever been pulled over by Damon, half the crowd would stand,” Hallmark said. “I saw Damon get out of his car, and I thought what does Damon need. He came up and I said Damon what do you need? He said I was just wondering why my pastor is speeding. I gave him my excuse and he wrote me a ticket… no, he let me go. "

Allen was a husband and father who leaves behind three daughters and a son.

Allen's killer, Dabrett Black, was arrested after a shootout. He is an Army veteran who reportedly has PTSD and other psychological problems.

Black remains in jail without bond.