"He was one of those personalities that really brought a room together," said Dallas.
Dallas knew Irick through his work at the church, where even during his short time there, he left an impression.
"One of our older members said he was one of the most respectful men he's ever met," said Dallas. "He'd only met him once very briefly at one of these functions, but the time he spent with him really stuck out to him."
Irick was murdered Thursday morning while trying to help a robbery victim at a gas station near Meyerland. On Monday, the suspect in the case, Anthony Ray Ferrell, 39, faced a judge on a capital murder charge.
In court, we learned surveillance photos released soon after the crime played a major role in his arrest.
"A Crime Stoppers tip led to identification of this defendant," said a prosecutor during Ferrell's Monday morning hearing. "Another tip led to the fact he was in a night club when it was 2. He had an open warrant for his arrest."
According to court documents, Ferrell is no stranger to law enforcement. In 1989, he was sentenced to seven years in prison for burglary, and paroled in 1992. In 1992, he was given 20 years for robbery, paroled in 2003. In 2007, he received six months for unauthorized use of a vehicle, drug possession and resisting arrest. He was on parole until 2012.
His arrest over the weekend was a big relief, especially for those who knew the victim.
"I just pray that the man is no longer able to inflict any harm or pain to anyone," said Stan Irick, Samuel's father. "This is the ultimate act of horrendous self-serving. I will never understand why my son was killed."
Ferrell is charged with capital murder. He's being held without bond.
He has another court appearance scheduled for Tuesday. We've yet to hear whether or not the DA will seek the death penalty in this case.
