Convict is Executed for Fatal Shooting of Dallas Police Officer

The convicted murderer who shot and killed a Dallas Police Officer in 2007 was executed Wednesday evening.

43-year-old Wesley Ruiz was given a lethal injection at the state penitentiary in Huntsville for the killing of DPD Senior Corporal Mark Nix.

In March 2007, Ruiz led Dallas Police on a high-speed chase after being spotted driving a car linked to a suspected murderer. Once stopped, Officer Nix made contact with the vehicle and attempted to break the passenger’s side window.

Ruiz fired one shot at the 33-year-old officer, which hit his badge and shattered it. A fragment from the badge sliced the officer’s neck and pierced a main artery. He died shortly after being taken to the hospital.

Ruiz, who was in his 20’s at the time of the shooting, was arrested and charged. Following a years-long battle in court, Ruiz received the death penalty.

On Wednesday, nearly 16 years after the incident, he was executed as his family members and children stood by. Officer Nix’s family and friends were also at the scheduled execution.