Corsicana Holds Vigil To Honor Brent Thompson
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CORSICANA (CBSDFW.COM) - Officer Brent Thompson's hometown came together Sunday night to honor the fallen DART police officer. A day after his body was escorted by honor guard to Corsicana, people gathered at the local high school to pay their respects.
"He was a good person. He cared about other people. That's why he was in this profession. I think he had a heart for it," family friend Barbara Phillips said.
Now the nature of any large gathering, security was intense with officers stationed on rooftops watching over the crowd. But nothing would stop Thompson's hometown from coming together to honor him.
"Corsicana is not a small town, but it's very much a close town, and so people want to gather. People want to hug and embrace," said Dr. Steven Bell who gave the opening prayer.
People like Susan Robinson also came to offer messages of comfort to Thompson's extended family.
"I'm so sorry. It shouldn't happen to anybody. It shouldn't," Robinson said.
Thompson's brother was among those who addressed the crowd.
"He put himself in harm's way to protect and save lives of his fellow officers and the citizens of Dallas, Texas. He is a hero, but our family already knew that," Darrell Thompson said.
As they lit candles, a hometown remembered a favorite son and vowed to never forget him.
"He was just a fine young man, fine young man, and what a legacy he has left behind for his children and for this town to come and pay their respects," Phillips said.
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