Statements from family of missing SMU police officer, SMU police chief
Officer Mark McCullers was working off-duty as a private security guard at a construction site when he and his car were swept away by high water early Tuesday, July 5, near Turtle Creek in Highland Park.
|
The McCullers family has established the Officer Mark McCullers Memorial Account. Donations to this account may be made at any Wells Fargo bank or online here. |
From Ben Nix,
family member of Officer Mark McCullers:
While we still have hopes in the rescue of our beloved Mark McCullers, we understand that the elapsed time and circumstances are not on our side. My family and I would like to provide a statement to the public regarding one of the most devoted men we know.
Mark was devoted to his country as he served for nine years as a Marine. Mark was devoted to training proper gun control and combat techniques for the protection and service of others. He was devoted to the law as he served the last two years on the SMU police force and he was proud to call them family. Lastly and most importantly, Mark was devoted in his faith in God and to his family. My sister and Mark have an amazing love. For the last eight years they have dedicated themselves to each other and their blended family of six wonderful children who will cherish the time they were able to spend as a family.
We would like to personally thank the SMU police force for their outpouring of love and affection during this very difficult time. We would like to thank all of the services such as Dallas Fire & Rescue, Dallas Police, Highland Park Police and the countless others who have provided countless hours of their time to search for our amazing Mark. Thank you to all for your thoughts and prayers and we would appreciate privacy during this time as we focus our attention on bringing Mark home.
Thank you,
Ben Nix
Tiffany McCullers interviewed by WFAA News
From SMU Police Chief Richard Shafer:
Campus ResourcesSMU staff, faculty and their family members in need of confidential support or resources may contact the SMU Employee Assistance Program, which is offered through the Human Resources Department. Call 1-877-704-5696. Students in need of confidential support or resources may contact SMU Counseling Services, 214-768-2277. The SMU Chaplain’s Office, 214-768-4502, also is available to provide confidential support to campus community members. |
On behalf of the SMU community, we continue to offer prayers of support for Officer Mark McCullers’ family and friends.
We are grateful to Highland Park DPS, Dallas Fire-Rescue, the Dallas Police Department and other agencies for their tireless efforts to locate Officer McCullers, who was swept away by floodwaters early Tuesday while working off-duty as a security guard at a construction site. SMU officers will continue to offer their assistance to Dallas Fire-Rescue and HPDPS as they continue the search.
As his family has chosen to speak out about him, it’s appropriate to share that Officer McCullers, a Marine veteran, has served since February 2015 as a member of the SMU Police Department Patrol Division.
One of our top concerns remains in addressing the needs of Officer McCullers’ family, and we ask that their privacy be respected.
The many expressions of support from the Dallas-area community and beyond have been heartening during this time, and we thank you.
###