Dallas / Fort Worth Local News

DALLAS (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ― Two men are in custody in the shooting death of a Dallas police officer on Tuesday.

Officers took the men into the Dallas County Jail Tuesday night after the shooting death of veteran gang unit member Sr. Corporal Norman Smith, who was shot and killed Tuesday while serving an arrest warrant at the Oak Wood Place Apartment Complex.

Police charged Charles Patrick Payne, 26, with capital murder of a public servant and two counts of attempted capital murder of a public servant. Police say he is under suicide watch in jail.

One of Payne's relatives said Charles thought thieves were trying to get into the apartment.

According to a Dallas Police transcript of the emergency call made from inside the apartment, a person "came on the line screaming that 2 males had tried to kick in his door and shot at him." He left a call back number and shouted that police were there and was told to speak to them.

However, police say Sr. Cpl. Smith and the officers he was with clearly identified themselves as police officers.

"The gang unit officers were wearing Dallas Police uniforms with a badge, with a patch," said Dallas Police Lt. Andy Harvey.

According to police, the gunshots were fired through the door and after the door was open. Police still are not sure which of the gunshots killed Smith.

William LaPaul Jobe also was questioned overnight and also taken into custody, but the 29-year-old has not been charged in the senior corporal's murder. He is being held at the jail on an outstanding felony warrant.

Records reveal Payne does not have a prior criminal record. Jobe was wanted for the robbery of an Arlington game room in May of 2007.

According to police, Payne, Jobe, and another man were inside a unit at the Oak Wood Place Apartments near Loop 12 on Tuesday when officers attempted to serve Jobe a felony warrant from Arlington for aggravated robbery.

Police say it was a high-risk situation.

"You always have that fear of the unknown; don't know what's behind that door," said Detective Leroy Quigg with the Dallas Police Department's Gang Unit.

Police won't release the exact details of what led up to the shooting, but Lt. Harvey did say, "They knocked on one of the apartment doors and when they did, they were met with gunfire."

Residents who live next to the apartment say they heard several shots fired.

"They knocked on the door and said, 'Gang unit' and they kicked the door and that's when they started shooting and the officer was shot," said resident Eboni Hooks.

Police say they found drugs and a weapon inside the apartment.

"In any case like this, our department will always look to see if anything could have been done better," said Lt. Harvey.

Wednesday, CBS 11 News crews were there when several police officers conducted a sweep of the apartment complex, serving outstanding warrants and looking for any illegal activity. At least half dozen people were taken into custody.

In 2008, Dallas police say there were 162 incidents requiring police response at the Oak Wood Place Apartment Complex. Another Dallas officer was shot there in 1998.

Smith was a former Dallas Police Officer of the Year and would have marked his 18th year on the force on Jan. 7. He was popular with his peers, dozens of whom went to Baylor Medical Center in Dallas when paramedics took Smith there last night.

"He was our leader," said Sr. Cpl. Robert Munoz. "A lot of us looked up at Norm."

Tributes are flowing in for the fallen officer. Flags throughout Dallas were flown at half staff. A memorial surrounds his squad car in front of the Jack Evans Headquarters Building. Before Tuesday's city council meeting, council members held a moment of silence in his honor.

Click here to read more about Smith's impact on the community.

A candle light vigil will be held for Smith at Dallas Police Headquarters on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. There will also be open visitation at Restland Cemetery in Dallas. His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the Potter's house.

A memorial fund has been established for the fallen officer.  Donations can be made at any City Credit Union branch.  Find a location near you and ask about the Norman S. Smith Memorial Fund.

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