Rochester-area sheriff’s offices, police departments, the New York State Police and the Rochester Police Foundation have all expressed their sorrow and prayers for the officers and everyone touched by the Dallas shootings.
Twelve Dallas police officers and two civilians were shot when snipers opened fire near the end of a protest march, targeting the escorting officers. Five officers were killed; three are expected to recover.
City Councilman Adam McFadden, the head of council’s Public Safety Committee, said the nation is at a dangerous crossroads. McFadden says we have an opportunity to move forward together or draw lines in the sand.
McFadden told the Bob Lonsberry Show on WHAM he spent yesterday feeling like he had a target on his back as a black man, remembering experiences he had with police in college. Then he came back from a unity bike ride with Rochester police and found out about Dallas. McFadden says he spent the night wondering at what point will Americans realize we are all human beings who need each other?
State Senator Rich Funke said today “Hate knows no geographic, political or personal bounds. Hate was in Dallas last night.”
Former Rochester Police Chief and Current Monroe County Legislator Jim Sheppard calls the Dallas attacks “heartbreaking.” He says that sort of violence should never be the response to the police shootings of suspects in Baton Rouge, Louisiana or St. Paul, Minnesota.