Officer Shot

Cynthia Vega reports

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DALLAS — A Dallas police officer was fatally shot shortly after 6:15 p.m. Tuesday at a southeast Dallas apartment complex.

Sr. Cpl. Norm Smith, who was transported to Baylor University Medical Center, was shot in the head while serving a felony aggravated assault warrant with a team of officers.

"They knocked on one of the apartment doors," said Lt. Andy Harvey, Dallas Police Department. "And when they did, they were met with gunfire."

Authorities said Smith was shot through the door.

Police identified the suspected shooter early Wednesday as 26-year-old Charles Patrick Payne, who faces a capital murder charge.

The man wanted on a felony warrant was identified as William Jobe, 29, who was also in the apartment and was arrested. A third man in the apartment was questioned and released, police said.

DPD

Police arrested Charles Payne, left, and William Jobe.

Authorities said Smith had come into the office at 6 a.m. after receiving a tip on some aggravated robbery suspects. He worked a 12-hour shift in his attempt to catch the suspects.

Smith was a longtime veteran of the gang unit.

"He was as good as any police officer that we have in the department," said Dallas Police Chief David Kunkle.

Kunkle also said he always thought of Smith as invincible. Smith's wife, Regina, is Kunkle's administrative lieutenant and works closely with the chief.

"I don't know any two people that were better suited for each other, who loved each other more," he said. "They have one of those magical-type relationships."

Smith, who was once awarded officer of the year and is the father of two teenaged children, would have celebrated his 18th year as a Dallas officer Wednesday. He was praised for his work with the communities in southeast Dallas and the Pleasant Grove area.

WFAA-TV

A Dallas police officer was fatally shot shortly after 6:15 p.m. Tuesday at a southeast Dallas apartment complex.

For hours after the shooting, SWAT officers and armed vehicles remained at the scene at the Oak Wood Place Apartments, located in the 4900 block of Wadsworth Drive near Loop 12 in Dallas. Authorities said SWAT officers cleared out the apartment.

In May 1998, two other officers were shot at the same apartment complex, which were then named the Sara Garden Apartments. While officers Edward Menchaca and John Midyette both survived the shooting, a suspect was killed from a chest wound.

Much like Tuesday's shooting, the officers were checking a tip about a drug deal.

Last year, more Texas police officers were killed in the line of duty than in any other state. Fourteen officers were killed in Texas.

WFAA-TV reporters Rebecca Lopez and Jason Whitely and DallasNews.com contributed to this report.