Patrick Zamarripa was one of the five police officers who tragically lost their lives during the coordinated sniper attack at a peaceful Black Lives Matter protest last week in Dallas.

His father, Rick Zamarripa, often worried for his son working as a bike officer downtown. He would frequently text him, asking if he was okay, and usually got a speedy answer saying “Yes, dad. I’ll call you back,” Washington Post reported.

Rick was watching television Thursday night when he found out about the shootings in downtown Dallas. He knew that his son had recently begun working in the downtown area, and texted him as usual but this time he received no reply..

Rick was the first family member to arrive at the hospital, but when he asked an officer about his son, he said,

“He wouldn’t tell me […] He had that look on his face. I knew.”

Patrick Zamarripa entered the Navy after high school, and survived three tours in Iraq before being killed in Dallas. His whole life had been devoted to service, Rick said, and added,

“He comes to the United States to protect people here […] And they take his life.”

Left behind is a large number of tweets, paiting a picture of a devoted police officer, loving father and patriotic American.

Through his tweets, we get to know an honorable man, who’s life was horrifically and viciously taken from him before his time. He introduces himself as;

“Addicted to the thrill of this job. I own the night. I love my Country, Texas, Family, God, Friends, and Sports! Don’t Tread on Me! ‘Merica”

There are an eerily large number of tweets honoring police officers killed on duty, and soldiers having made the ultimate sacrifice for our country,

But Patrick’s tweets also show great sympathy for causes like LGBT’s rights.

Left behind is his long-time partner Kristy Villasenor, and their 2-year-old daughter, Lyncoln, who were at a Texas Rangers game at the time of the shooting.

Kristy just tweeted a picture of them together today, with the text,

“I still can’t fathom that I’ll not be able to kiss my lobster any more. I love you baby!”

It’s heartbreaking to know little Lyncoln will never get to know her father. Rick said that the family was briefly allowed to see Patrick’s face through a glass window. Lyncoln cried out for him through the window:

“Da da, Da da.”

For more on this fallen police officer, see the tribute to his life below:

Featured image from Patrick Zamarripa’s Twitter account.

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