TALLAHASSEE, FL (WTXL) – Local law enforcement officials have gathered in solidarity during a time of turmoil and unrest following the deaths of five police officers in Dallas.
Multiple law enforcement agencies in north Florida and south Georgia gathered Friday morning to send out messages of support and solace for the victims affected by shootings that took the lives of five police officers and injured nine others, including two civilians.
In a press conference at Tallahassee's City Hall, Commissioner Scott Maddox spoke of unity in Tallahassee, saying, "Talking about race relations isn't new in Tallahassee".
Maddox recalled instances of violence in the past in which Tallahassee and Leon County "responded with love" saying that, "We are not white and black. We are not blue and green. We are red, white, and blue".
Reverend Dr. R.B. Holmes of the Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in Tallahassee also spoke at the conference, urging, "We cannot, in the midst of our pain, turn pain into violence. In the midst of our hurt, we have to turn our hurt into healing".
Reverend Holmes stated, "All lives matter. Black lives matter. Brown lives matter. White lives matter. Blue lives matter", and then concluded with a prayer for the victims and families of Dallas.
Florida State University President John Thrasher later released a statement emphasize FSU's value of diversity and inclusiveness while hoping to affirm their "love for all members of our FSU community and in rejecting hatred and racism in all their forms".
In Gadsden County, the Sheriff's Office also released a statement saying they hoped to "maintain the open dialogue that [Sheriff Morris A. Young] along with the community leaders and citizens have worked so hard to create" while reminding that "it's more critical now, more than ever before that we continue to trust one another, protect one another and care for one another".
Many law enforcement agencies also took to social media to express their sentiments, including Lowndes County Sheriff's Office who offered thoughts and prayers to the law enforcement family in Dallas via Facebook.
Sheriff Gene Scarbrough of Tift County in Georgia also took to Facebook to condemn the acts of violence, calling it a "despicable and cowardly act of hatred and violence". He offered prayers for "all the families, friends, and associates of all of those who were injured and those who perished".
The shooting took place late Thursday evening at a Black Lives Matter protest in downtown Dallas.
At least one suspect has been identified as Micah Johnson, who officials say opened fire on police officers, taking the lives of five and injuring seven others. At least two other civilians were also injured.
