Honoring the Life of Dallas Police Officer Mitchell Aaron Penton
With great sadness Dallas Police Department lost another officer on February 13, 2021. Officer Mitchell Aaron Penton tragically lost his life when on scene of a vehicle accident. It was there that an alleged intoxicated driver slammed into him as he was standing outside his patrol vehicle. The incident occurred on the northbound lanes of the North Central Expressway near Walnut Hill Lane at approximately 1:45 AM.
Officer Penton was on the scene of another crash when he was struck. He was securing traffic with the emergency lights from his patrol car when a vehicle driven by an intoxicated driver, traveling at a high rate speed, hit the back of his patrol car. The collision pushed the patrol car into Officer Penton. The other driver was arrested and charged with intoxication assault and intoxication manslaughter on a police officer. Officer Penton was rushed to an area hospital where he passed away due to his injuries.
Mitchell was born on March 29, 1993 in Arlington, Texas to Timothy and Kathy (Nicholas) Penton. He graduated from Richardson High School in 2011. Mitchell attended Rogers State University, in Oklahoma where he was a strong goalkeeper for the soccer team. He graduated with a degree in Criminal Justice in 2015. Mitchell graduated from the Police Academy November 1, 2019 and was assigned to the Northeast Patrol Division. He enjoyed sports, soccer, woodworking and being a police officer. Most of all, he loved dancing with his wife and playing WWE with his son.
Mitchell is survived by his wife Noel Bergenske Penton and their unborn son; a son he loved dearly; his parents, Kathy and Tim Penton; brother, Garrett Penton; sister, Sydney Penton; his in-laws, Joyce and Greg Soule, Kendra and Jim Bergenske; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family friends and fellow officers with whom he served.
Such a tragedy like this seems to hit the law enforcement community now with regularity. With so much negativity and hostility we see today from some elements we must now more than ever show our support and love for officers like Mitchell Penton. They sacrifice so much of their lives to ensure their communities are protected and served. This young man was taken much too soon. He left behind so many that loved and respected him, not only as an officer, but as a husband, father, son, brother, mentor and friend. A life dedicated to the service of others is a life worth honoring and remembering by all of us. Please reach out to the Dallas Police Department to find out ways you can help show your love and support for this brave young soul. There is a GoFundMe page set up to help the family he tragically had to leave behind.
More than ever in today’s environment our officers need our support and assistance. Please do anything possible to show them they are not alone. Show your appreciation for the sacrifices these brave men and woman make for us day in and day out. Thank them when you see them in public. Pray for their safety. You never know when a kind word from you could change their outlook for that day. It could be the kind word that keeps them going.
