DALLAS — One of five officers killed in Thursday’s sniper ambush during a peaceful protest in Dallas against police-involved shootings was Brent Thompson, 43, an officer with Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), NBC5 reports.

Thompson joined the department in 2009 and is the first officer in the 27-year history of the department to be killed in the line of duty. Of the 12 officers shot during the attack, three additional DART officers were wounded. For the full story, click here.

“The Dallas Area Rapid Transit family is grieving the loss of police officer Brent Thompson, 43, who was killed during Thursday night's protest in Downtown Dallas. Officer Thompson is the first officer killed in the line of duty since DART formed a police department in 1989. He joined the DART Police Department in 2009.

“As you can imagine, our hearts are broken. This is something that touches every part of our organization. We have received countless expressions of support and sympathy from around the world through the evening. We are grateful for every message. Thank you.

“We are grateful to report the three other DART police officers shot during the protest are expected to recover from their injuries. No other DART employees working in Downtown during the protest or shooting were injured.

We also extend our sympathies to our colleagues at the Dallas Police Department in the loss of their four officers.”