CHARLESTON, W.Va. — “It’s a very emotional time for all of us,” said Steve Walker, president of the West Virginia Fraternal Order of Police, in response to shots fired in Dallas, Texas Thursday night which left five officers dead and several others wounded.
“With this cold, blooded killing of police officers in Dallas, it tears my heart,” said Walker, who also serves as Chief of Police for the City of Nitro.
Gunfire erupted in downtown Dallas during a protest in response to the two fatal shootings this week in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Nearly 12 hours after the ambush, community members and law enforcement officials met in Charleston Friday morning to address the recent outrage. RESET, a group made up of local pastors and police officers, have been working to gather information to provide to residents.
Roberta Smith, chair of RESET and president of the Charleston Black Ministerial Alliance, said they want to hear from young people about issues against the police.
“Basically try to figure out their mindset — what makes them dislike police? What makes them nervous about police? Try to figure out where this is coming from — is it coming from home? Is it coming from peers?” Smith said following a meeting at the St. Paul AME Church on the city’s West Side.
But Walker said he’s putting the blame on the Obama administration and federal government when it comes to officers targeted through violence over the last few years. He called it a “money-driven issue” when it comes to lack of funding to law enforcement agencies.
“Until the national government decides to take a strong stance behind law enforcement and help us help the citizens that need the assistance that they deserve, this nation, as a whole, is suffering,” Walker said.
Police officers across the state remained on high alert Friday. Brent Webster, Chief of Police in Charleston, called the incident “a terrible tragedy that’s uncalled for.” He’s reminding his force to keep their heads up during this tough time.
“They just got to trust their training, trust their instincts, but be very vigilant,” Webster said. “They got to be mindful they have a job to do.”
Ed Preston, chief of Morgantown police, said there is a great concern following, what he called, the “despicable” and “cowardly” act in Dallas.
“I don’t think that you can change or impact those individuals that have a desire to commit despicable, criminal behavior,” Preston said.
“When people made up their minds they’re going to commit a crime, unfortunately, we are bound to have to react to their choices and that’s a very hard thing. We’re always playing catch up.”
The tragic event in Dallas unfolded “without any regard to human life,” Walker said. Working in law enforcement for over 35 years, he said he’s “never seen it as bad as is right now.”
Officers nationwide have been joining together Friday as new details emerged throughout the day about the alleged shooter Micah Xavier Johnson, 25, of Mesquite, Texas.
Walker said it’s important for law enforcement to unite.
“There is a bond between brothers in blue, green, gray, whoever puts on a badge and a gun during the day and night also,” he said. “We try to take care of what we call ‘our own.'”