Dallas Massacre – Dallas chief after sniper attack: ‘We don’t feel much support most days. Let’s not make today most days.’

07/08/2016

From Dallas Morning News:

Five officers were killed and 7 were injured when two gunmen opened fire during a rally and march in downtown Dallas Thursday night. Two civilians were also injured.

Click the photos below to read about each of the victims who have been identified.

BRENT THOMPSON, 43 DART Police

By Dave Tarrant | Staff Writer

Brent Thompson, a 43-year-old veteran with nine years as a DART officer, was remembered by his boss Friday as a superb officer and a “great guy,” with experience in the security field from combat zones in Iraq and Afghanistan. Thompson has married a fellow officer within the past two weeks, said James Spiller, DART police chief. “We’re just trying to figure out how to get over this gut-punch we just got,” Spiller said.

Thompson patrolled downtown Dallas’ Central Business District. He was assigned to that location because of his steadiness and an engaging personality. “We deal with all kinds of people down here, so we try to have someone with the personality to deal with all kinds of individuals,” Spiller said, “someone with a personal touch and not a heavy-handed approach. And Brent was really good at that. He was a patrol officer, a great officer.” Spiller said.

Thompson came to Dallas after law enforcement and security stints in Corsicana and overseas, including assignments in Iraq, where he worked on security teams around Baghdad and elsewhere, according to his Linkedin account. In Afghanistan, he worked in the dangerous Helmand and Khandahar Provinces.

During Thursday evening’s protest march, Thompson was working at the DART transfer station in downtown near the West End. “He was making sure nobody got in the way of trains and helping with the safety of passengers,” Spiller said. Thompson was standing near his patrol car when the shooting started.   MORE

From Dallas Morning News:

Amateur video captured the chaos from many angles Thursday night when snipers opened fire on police in downtown Dallas on Thursday. 

In one video a hidden gunman emerged from behind the pillars of a building and firing on officers. In another, officers take cover behind their squad cars as gunfire rings out.

When the killers were done, five officers were dead, seven more were wounded, and witnesses began sharing the bloodshed over social media.

Some of the videos contain graphic content. 

Witness Ismael Dejesus shot video that was broadcast by FOX and CNN that shows the ambush of several officers.

“It looked like an execution, honestly,” Dejesus said. “He stood over him after he was already down and shot him three or four more times.”  …MORE

Dallas Police Chief: “Incredible turnout came in support of our officers”

Dallas chief after sniper attack: ‘We don’t feel much support most days. Let’s not make today most days.’

From American Thinker

The attack on Dallas police officers, 12 hit and 5 among them now dead, is the latest blow to the fragile bonds of civil society.  The expectation that lawful behavior will predominate and that we can go about our business, once lost, is difficult to recover.

Make no mistake: a war against civil society is underway, and attacks on police officers are a key tool with which to bring about a situation where the armed and vicious rule the orderly and disarmed.

Lest you forget, #BlackLivesMatter explicitly demanded the assassination of police officers less than a year ago.  The scene, coincidentally, was near the very spot where a black motorist was fatally shot by a police officer during a traffic stop.  Here are the BLM chants of “Pigs in a blanket – fry ’em like bacon.”

Read more:

The Dallas Police Department, Dallas Area Rapid Transit Police and the families of the slain and injured officers are in the thoughts and prayers of every Virginia State Police member. There are truly no words to describe the pain we share with law enforcement worldwide in the wake of what took place overnight in downtown Dallas. 

“As Texas authorities continue their investigation into these tragic shootings, our Department personnel remain vigilant for their own safety, as well as securing the safety of all Virginians we have taken an oath to serve and protect.”      – Colonel W. Steven Flaherty, Virginia State Police Superintendent

Colonel Flaherty also authorized the wearing of the mourning band on all VSP sworn personnel’s badges beginning this morning at 0800 hours through midnight, Friday, July 15, 2016, in honor of the Dallas line of duty deaths.

Statement from Governor Larry Hogan on Shooting of Dallas Police Officers

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Governor Larry Hogan today issued the following statement:

“This morning, I share in the grief and heartbreak that burdens members of our law enforcement community as well as millions of Americans across the country. Yesterday’s senseless violence and the shocking death of five police officers in Dallas was a tragedy unlike anything our country has witnessed in recent years.

“The city of Dallas will be holding a moment of silence at 1pm ET today, and I am urging all Marylanders to stand with the people of Texas at that time. Let us mourn the deaths of those who put their lives on the line to keep Dallas safe; let us pray for the safety of the men and women in blue all across the country; and let us take time today and every day to thank our brave officers for their service and reassure them that they do not stand alone.

“In Maryland and across the country, the obvious tensions between communities and law enforcement are real and cannot be ignored or swept under the rug. But there is so much more that unites us than divides us. Now is clearly a time for profound sorrow, but also for reflection, understanding and above all, compassion.

“The First Lady and I send our most sincere thoughts and prayers to the families and loved ones of those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty, as well as to those officers recovering from this horrific shooting.”