Patrick Zamarripa was one of the five officers killed in the Dallas police shooting that left five officers dead and a country in mourning.

In the aftermath of one of the country's most devastating tragedies, snapshots of who the 32-year Mexican American friends and family describe as a loving family and an active sports fan have started to emerge.

The 32-year-old father of a 2-year-old girl and another young stepson, Zamarripa served eight years of active duty in the Navy and survived several tours in Iraq.

Zamarripa Well Respected

As proud as he was of his son, Valerie Zamarripa admitted she wouldn't wish his fate on anyone.

"He was too young," she tearfully shared. "He had his family."

Those who knew Patrick Zamarripa best insist that's what he most lived for.

"This police officer - it doesn't get any better than this," said radio host and close friend Ben Rogers. "He's just a guy who wants to serve and protect during the day, and watch a ballgame with his family at night."

A grieving Rick Zamarripa now hopes his son and the officers will be memorialized in a tribute erecting near the scene of the shooting. Roughly 40 percent of the population in Dallas is Latino and all over around town signs in Spanish have started to pop up paying homage to Zamarripa and all his fallen colleagues.

Authorities have since identified 25-year-old Micah Xavier Johnson as the gunmen. He later died after exchanging gunfire end engaging in a tense standoff with police, leading to a police bomb squad robot being was used to kill him.

Ambush Follows Deadly Police Shootings in Louisiana, Minnesota

All the deadly gunfire unfolded after videos showing two African-American men being fatally shot by police in Louisiana and Minnesota were made public.

In hopes of facilitating more peace and harmony, Jamie Castro, a Spanish-speaking Dallas police union spokesperson, now says he would be willing to go into the community to speak with residents about what can be done to foster better relations with police.

Meanwhile, during his time in the armed services, Zamarripa was a decorated officer, earning numerous awards and commendations for his work, including the Good Conduct Medal, Overseas Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and the Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal.

Rick Zamarripa told reporters his son had only recently commenced working in downtown Dallas as a bike officer.

"Patrick would bend over backward to help anybody," Rick Zamarripa added of his son. "He'd give you his last dollar if he had it. He was always trying to help people, protect people. As tough as he was, he was patient, very giving."

On the night of the shooting, Rick Zamarripa had texted his son to check on him as he often did, but on this night he never received a response back.

A private service is scheduled for Patrick Zamarripa on Monday, July 11 and funeral services are slated to be held later in the week.

Related