DART Officer Brent Thompson's body escorted home

CORSICANA, Texas - The body of Dallas Area Rapid Transit officer Brent Thompson has been take back to his home town of Corsicana.

SKY 4 was over the procession when it began in Dallas Saturday afternoon. The procession of vehicles rolled own Interstate 45 to Navarro County.

Crowds of people wanting to pay their respects to the officer lined the highway along the 55-mile route to Corsicana.

Officer Thompson was a 43-year-old father of six grown children and three grandchildren. He was also a newlywed. His wife of two weeks also works for the police force.

"He was a brave man dedicated to his family," said Tara Thornton, a friend of the family. "He loved being a police officer. He instantly knew that's what he wanted to do. He knew he wanted to save lives and protect people. He had a passion for it."

Thompson is the first DART police officer ever to due in the line of duty.

His funeral services are pending. There will be a candlelight vigil for him at 8 p.m. Sunday at the Corsicana High School flag pole.