Rangers prospect Joey Gallo shares encounter with slain Dallas officer

Arthur Weinstein

Rangers prospect Joey Gallo shares encounter with slain Dallas officer image

Rangers prospect Joey Gallo came to a terrible realization Friday — he recently met one of the police officers killed Thursday night in Dallas.

The 22-year-old third baseman/outfielder, who is currently with the Rangers' Triple-A team in Round Rock, posted a tribute to officer Patrick Zamarripa on his Instagram account Friday.

MORE: Sports figures respond to Dallas shooting

 Gallo said he and Rangers outfielder Nomar Mazara were walking around downtown Dallas a couple of months ago, when Zamarripa stopped them.

 

A couple months ago @nomazara26 and I were walking down the street in downtown Dallas. When an officer stopped us, Mazara and I immediately became nervous, "I know who you guys are" he said. "Joey Gallo and Nomar Mazara, can I get a picture with you guys please?" It was definitely a first for me and Nomar to have an officer, a true hero, want to meet us. His name is Patrick Zamarripa, one of the officers killed in last nights shootings in Dallas. I'll never forget how kind and down to Earth he was. We ended up having a 15 minute conversation about sports with him. He was an avid Rangers fan. But more importantly a great person, and family man. Please keep Patrick, and all the officers affected and their families in our prayers today. #prayfordallas

A photo posted by Joey Gallo (@joeygallo24) on

"When an officer stopped us, Mazara and I immediately became nervous. 'I know who you guys are. Joey Gallo and Nomar Mazara, can I get a picture with you guys please?' It was definitely a first for me and Nomar to have an officer, a true hero, want to meet us," Gallo wrote. 

"His name is Patrick Zamarripa, one of the officers killed in last night's shootings in Dallas. I'll never forget how kind and down to Earth he was. We ended up having a 15-minute conversation about sports with him. He was an avid Rangers fan. But more importantly a great person, and family man. Please keep Patrick, and all the officers affected and their families in our prayers today."

Zamarripa was one of five officers killed with seven others wounded in Thursday's shooting.

Arthur Weinstein