Oregon sheriffs, police chiefs react to Dallas shootings

The Oregon State Sheriff’s Association and the Oregon Association of Chiefs of Police issued a joint statement Friday in response to the Dallas shootings of a dozen police officers:

“We are saddened by the horrific events that transpired in Dallas yesterday evening resulting in the deaths of Officer Brent Thompson, Officer Patrick Zamrippa, Officer Michael Krol, Officer Michael Smith, and one more officer who has not yet been publicly identified. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of these slain police officers from the Dallas Police Department and the Dallas Area Rapid Transit Police Department.

We also extend our strong concern and unqualified support for the fellow officers and policing leaders from both agencies who now grieve this tragic loss. We understand the risks and challenges faced by law enforcement officers on a daily basis and we laud the bravery and integrity of officers in Dallas who responded to yesterday’s attack. In the face of an ambush and unknown assailants, police officers in Dallas continued to protect citizens at great risk to their own lives.

These officers were simply doing their jobs by protecting a peaceful demonstration when they were viciously attacked. These events sadly illustrate the challenges that law enforcement face each and every day. Yesterday, these officers left home to make their communities safer and sadly will never return to their loved ones.

These tragic events have deeply affected the law enforcement profession. All Oregon law enforcement officers took an oath to safeguard the citizens of the communities they serve. They are true professionals who will remain vigilant in keeping our communities and their fellow officers safe! We want to thank Oregonians for taking time to express their support for our brave police officers here and around the nation.

We are very aware of the current tensions that exist between police and some members of our communities and we remain resolute in our commitment to continue to build trust and ensure that public confidence in Oregon policing remains strong. As incidents of violence ripple across our nation, we will not be divided or defeated. Our hearts are steeled with a resolve to police justly and thoroughly, remembering both the officers who’ve gone before us and the good people who depend upon us to step into the gap. We want to thank the citizens of Oregon for working with us in partnership and unity to keep our communities safe. We are all stronger as we work together for a safer Oregon.

We are asking all sworn officers in Oregon to wear their mourning bands on their badges from now until the day of the funeral(s) of the fallen officers, in honor of the lives lost in Dallas.”

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Gov. Kate Brown on Friday ordered all flags at Oregon public institutions to be flown at half-staff immediately until sunset on Tuesday, July 12 in honor of the victims of the attack in Dallas:

“I’m tremendously saddened that police officers in Dallas, Texas were killed or injured in the line of duty as they worked to ensure the safety of lawful, peaceful protestors calling for justice for the black community.

“For our law enforcement officers in Oregon and across our nation, we are grateful for your public service and the work you do to keep all people safe. My thoughts are with the victims and families who lost loved ones this week.”

Earlier Friday, Brown and Republican challenger Bud Pierce issued statements in the wake of police shooting protests and the killing of Dallas police officers. Here are their statements in full:

(Medford, OR) — Governor Kate Brown issued the following statement today about the shootings in Louisiana, Minnesota and Dallas:

“I am horrified by the ugly and explosive violence of the past 72 hours in Louisiana, Minnesota, and now, Texas. Violence answers nothing, offers nothing, solves nothing. It robs us of our humanity, turning us against one another promising only more pain, more loss. Instead of reaching for weapons, we must reach for answers.

“If we want to end violence, we must fight ignorance and desperation. We must instill hope and create opportunity. We must work for justice. We must work toward equality. It will be these tools, more powerful than any arsenal, that restore peace and civility in America.”

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Salem, OR (July 8, 2016) – Dr. Bud Pierce is releasing the following statement on the overnight police shootings in Dallas, and the protests across the country in response to this week’s officer-involved shootings.

“There is but one race, the human race. We all share a great equality andworth in the eyes of our creator. A great human defect is to separate ourselves, to view ourselves as being different from one another, on the basis of physical appearance, background, or beliefs. While these differences can lead to great variety and pleasurable experiences in our lives, these differences can also be used in ways that encourage hatred, and ultimately lead to great evil. We cannot let this happen,” said Pierce.

He continued, “Our law enforcement has the difficult task of maintaining public order in the face of human weakness, and human failure. However, we must demand one absolute standard, that is, when police and citizens interact, success is achieved when the citizen is safe, the police officer is safe, and the law is upheld.

“Any deviation from this standard must be thoroughly investigated in a transparent way, and any and all criminal behavior is to be referred for prosecution. We must provide our police officers with excellent training, resources, and community support, so that these high standards of policing can be achieved. I know that we can do it.”

“Let us grieve for our losses, and turn toward one another, joining hands as one great humanity, creating a society of opportunity, hope, and peace,” said Pierce.