Local officers have message for citizens after Dallas shooting

GIBSON COUNTY, Tenn. — After a dozen officers are injured and five now confirmed dead in a Dallas shooting, law enforcement officers in West Tennessee say the incident is weighing heavily on their badges.

“My heart goes out to all of them. I’ve got friends out there, and it’s just not a good time,” Madison County Sheriff John Mehr said.

A peaceful protest over two recently deadly shootings of two black men killed by officers turned into a shooting itself. Police said snipers shot from above with the intent to kill white officers. Gibson County Sheriff Paul Thomas said the real issue is larger than race.

“What we have is a humanity problem. We have too many people with complete disregard for human life, regardless of the color of who’s pulling the trigger. They’re all victims,” Sheriff Thomas said.

Sheriff Mehr hopes citizens will stand with officers.

“The problem is, we’re not teaching young people and people how to act and be citizens. This is a great country and people need to step up if they want to be a citizen of this country and do what’s right and stand for freedom,” Sheriff Mehr said.

Both Gibson and Madison County departments say they’ve talked with their officers, offering encouragement through the deaths of their brothers in blue.

“The main thing is they are to return home to their families, and not in a box, but live like this country was set up to be,” Sheriff Mehr said.

Sheriffs’ officials say social media can be equally helpful as it is hurtful in times like this, and they warn the public not to believe everything that is posted.

Flags fly at half staff across the country to honor the victims in this tragic event.