Watch CBS News

Officer Killed In Dallas Ambush Graduated From Mass. High School

BOSTON (CBS) – One of the police officers killed in the ambush in Dallas has ties to Massachusetts. Officer Michael Krol graduated from East Longmeadow High School in 1994.

The 40-year-old was one of five officers killed in the ambush in downtown Dallas during a Black Lives Matter protest. Seven other officers and two civilians were wounded. Officers killed the suspect after a lengthy standoff.

Wayne Donaldson was Krol's high school basketball coach. He is still trying to comprehend that Krol was one of the officers killed.

"This is terrible, terrible. He was a very likable kid," Donaldson said.

More than 20 years later, he remembers his star player for more than the accomplishments on the court.

"End of the season card, he put a note, 'thanks coach I learned a lot about basketball this year.' And I thought nobody does that. It makes you think what kind of kid he is," said Donaldson.

A sign of character that took Krol to serve as a sheriff's deputy in Michigan then join the Dallas police force eight years ago.

His mother, who lives in Michigan, said her 40-year old son was living his dream of wearing the badge. She released the following statement:

"He was living a dream of being a police officer. Just turned 40 in April. He knew the danger of the job but he never shied away from his duty as a police officer. He was a great caring person and wanted to help people. A wonderful son, brother, uncle, nephew and friend." - Susan Elkhe

Donaldson sadly understands. His son is a police officer in Massachusetts and he sees how the job of serving and protecting has changed,

"You can go up to the wrong car. You can go to the wrong house break. And then I see this with Mike, it makes you sick. What a good kid," said Donaldson.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.