Officer Bryan Riser, a twelve-year veteran of the department, faces two charges of head murder, the head announced at a news conference.
“This criminal investigation dates back to 2017 with the deaths of two unrelated murder victims,” García said.
The victim is identified as Lisa Saenz – whose body was found in a river after he was shot dead, according to the arrest warrant – and Albert Douglas, whose body has never been found, according to García.
The police chief said Riser had an affair with at least one victim, but he did not elaborate on the affair, saying the motive for the separate killings was unknown.
According to an arrest warrant, Riser referred to Saenz as an ‘informant’.
“We will not allow anyone to slander this license plate,” said García, who was chief of the Dallas Police Department for only a month.
Riser did not respond to CNN’s attempts to contact him by email. It is not clear if he has legal representation.
CNN’s request for comment to the local police union, the Dallas Police Association, was referred to a liaison firm, which declined to comment.
The principal says Riser joined the department in August 2008 and recently worked as a south central patrol officer. García added that they would review all of Riser’s arrests in the past to ensure no misconduct was involved.
Three other people have also been charged with main murder in connection with the murders, but the statement does not reveal their identity or the status of their cases.
Under the terms of the department’s collective bargaining agreement, Riser remains pending an investigation into internal affairs, the chief said. “We are conducting an administrative investigation as soon as possible to end,” García added.
Garcia thanked the FBI for its help with the ongoing criminal investigation.
In the online jail record, Riser’s bail amount stands at $ 5 million. He is being held in the North Tower Detention Facility, according to records.
CNN’s Steve Almasy contributed to this report.