On Father's Day, DPD Chief David Brown Loses Son in Circumstances That Remain Unclear

By Robert Wilonsky Mon., Jun. 21 2010 at 7:35 AM

Categories: City Hall, Crime

Patrick Michels

Dallas Police Chief David Brown

It's unusual for Dallas City Hall to send word of a briefing involving the Dallas Police Department, but last night, a little after 10, Frank Librio notified the media of a briefing scheduled for 11:15 p.m. concerning "the incident in Lancaster." By now, you no doubt know what he was referring to: shootings at an apartment complex in Lancaster off W. Pleasant Run Road that resulted in the deaths of a 37-year-old Lancaster police officer, whose name has not been released, and two other men, one of whom was 27-year-old David O'Neal Brown Jr., son of Dallas Police Chief David Brown.

Close to midnight, Charles M. Cato, DPD's first assistant chief of police, released to the media the following statement:

It is with deep sadness that I report Chief David Brown's son has passed away this evening. Chief Brown is with his family this evening and we ask that you respect his privacy at this difficult time. As Chief Brown mourns the loss of his son -- he also mourns the loss of the fallen Lancaster Police Officer who has served his community with honor for many years.

We don't know all of the facts of the incident at this time. Lancaster Police are investigating the incident and will keep Dallas Police apprised of the investigation and will impart details on this incident to the media.

Chief Brown asks that the Dallas community keep his family in their prayers this evening -- and in the days to come -- as his family tries to comprehend the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident.

Update at 12:51 p.m.: WFAA is reporting that David O'Neal Brown Jr. shot 22-year-old Jerry McMillan before killing 37-year-old Lancaster PD officer Craig Shaw.

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