Police are continuing their search for a purported hit-and-run driver allegedly responsible for the death of an officer with the Arlington Police Department in southern Dallas County.
The Dallas County Sheriff’s Department announced on Wednesday that the reward money it promised for information leading to the arrest of a suspect has increased. The move comes just over a week after the deadly incident.
Officer Darrin McMichael was traveling to work on his motorcycle on I-20 on the morning of September 28 when he was knocked off of his bike by an SUV and then run over by what officials described as a black sedan. McMichael died that morning at a local hospital, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
The driver of the vehicle fled the scene after running over the officer. The Dallas County Sheriff’s Office has since been leading the investigation.
Dallas County officials originally announced a reward of $20,000 for anyone who could provide information leading to an arrest. Oak Farms Dairy donated a total of $15,000 of the money, while another $5,000 was donated by North Texas Crime Stoppers.
Authorities announced the reward money increased to a total of $35,000. Hart HVAC, which provides AC installation and servicing, has donated an additional $10,000 through North Texas Crime Stoppers, while another $5,000 was donated by an anonymous donor.
“We continue to ask anyone with information to call the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office at (214) 749-5189. Tipsters can also call North Texas Crime Stoppers at 1-877-373-8477,” reads a Facebook post by the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office.
People must call in tips or information using the Crime Stoppers number to be eligible for the initial $15,000 reward, while the additional $20,000 will be given to any person providing information via either the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office number or Crime Stoppers.
Police departments around the metroplex have been experiencing staffing shortages in recent years. The Dallas Police Department, for instance, has been short more than 800 officers in recent years. It currently maintains a force of fewer than 3,200 officers. A City analysis recommends it needs around 4,000.
