Friends remember Irving officer killed in crash

IRVING, Texas - Family, friends and fellow officers gathered Wednesday morning to remember and honor an Irving police officer who was killed in a motorcycle crash.

Officer Mark Dahl died Friday morning on his way to work when he lost control of his motorcycle.

A police procession escorted Officer Dahl after his service to a crematorium where he'll be prepared for interment later this week.

Family, friends and hundreds of police officers from all across North Texas went to Cavalry Church in Irving to remember the 19-year veteran Irving police sergeant.

Irving Police Chief Larry Boyd never worked a call with Dahl but new he was a leader.

"I could instinctively tell that when the chips were down, I wanted Mark Dahl as my back up," the chief said.

Sergeant Dahl's supervisor and closest friend, Sgt. Mark Vincent, talked about the man he admired flanked by his fellow Irving PD motor jocks.

"Mark just love being an Irving police officer, period. It was a big deal to him," Vincent explained. "No matter where he was assigned, he was going to reach out and touch you. It would have an effect on your life because of it. Mark was larger than life."

While difficult to say goodbye, everyone speaking about Dahl talked about his incredible sense of humor, even his mother.

"Funny is who he is, and he's been funny since she was a little kid," said his mother, Susan Pinochi.

The grieving mother said her son's humor was always infectious.

"That's the kind of kid he was: kind and generous and loving in his spirit to everyone," she explained.

It was full honors for the veteran Irving officer, including a 21 gun salute.

Fellow Irving Police Department motor jocks led the way as the family prepares for his internment.

The former Marine is survived by his wife and two sons, who are both also in the Marines. He was on the Irving police force for 19 years.