Jan 6, 2009 11:17 pm US/Eastern
Dallas Police: Officer Killed Serving Warrant
3 Suspects Taken Into Custody
DALLAS (CBS) ―
Dallas Police say an officer in their gang unit was shot and killed Tuesday night.
Officer Norman Smith would have celebrated his 18th anniversary with the department on Wednesday. He had been with the gang unit for about 14 years. At one time, he had been honored as an officer of the year.
Police say Officer Smith was shot while trying to serve felony warrant for aggravated assault at the Oakwood Place Apartments.
"They knocked on the door and they were met on with gunfire," said Lt. Andy Harvey during a press conference Tuesday night.
The shooting happened around 6:15 p.m. An ambulance took Officer Smith to Baylor Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Police and SWAT officers quickly converged on the apartment complex, evacuated apartment units and blocked off roads near the complex.
Authorities say 3 males were inside the apartment at the time of the shooting. All three were taken into custody and were interviewed by police.
Investigators are still trying to determine if one of the men in custody is the man who shot and killed Officer Smith.
As news of Officer Smith's death spread, fellow Dallas officers and police from other departments gathered at Baylor Hospital.
"Norm was doing what he wanted to do," said Dallas Police Chief David Kunkle. "He had the heart of a warrior."
The Dallas Observer profiled Smith's work in Oak Cliff in June of 2006. The article states, "Officer Norm Smith of the Dallas police gang unit was on the street so much, he was given a nickname by the gang members--Soprano. While other officers were sometimes taunted, Smith was respected on the street."
Police say Officer Smith was married to Lt. Regina Smith, also with the Dallas Police Department. They had two children together.
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