This day four years ago was another one of those difficult days that I stood numb and felt absolute dread. Not only as the Chief Law Enforcement Officer of the county but as a brother in blue. I, like you, was watching on the news that night as an ambush, a cowardly attack unfolded on our law enforcement brothers and sisters in Dallas. Later that night we learned that eleven officers were shot and of those eleven, five of those officers, lost their lives due to this heinous act. Four of the deceased officers served on the DPD and the fifth was someone close to home.

Brent Thompson was a former resident of our county, a NCSO deputy, CISD Police Officer and a (DART) Dallas Area Rapid Transit Police Officer. A husband, father, son and the brother of our own District Attorney, Lowell Thompson who since then we have also lost. Sam and Paulette who I greatly care about and respect, have had much heartache in these past years.

Officers were then and are more so now than ever, under attack. That night was the second attack in less than a year on the DPD and it's officers. Everyday, without fail, law enforcement officers serve this nation with courage, bravery and distinction by protecting ALL of us from harm. The percentage of those who are just, dedicated and do the right thing far exceed the small percentage that choose to do wrong and unjust acts.

The protection given, again now more than ever however, comes at great risk to the thousands of men and women who courageously don the uniform and wear the badge. It is something that sadly keeps officers on 24/7 whether wearing the uniform or not, for the target on our backs is larger now more than ever. We are not respected, we are hated and we are with each day felt less and less essential and deemed unnecessary by many.

That nights events four years ago along with those in the past few years, reminds us that it is imperative that we must have understanding and most importantly, communication. It is also a reminder of the great importance and value of good connections, relationships and support of our fellow agencies, with our community, and to have awareness and the cooperation between us all. We cannot let all these past officers, as well as any future lives that are lost, their names, valor, what they believed in and stood for, be lost in vain.

Our profession is hurting and we are heartbroken. Again we are hated, we are targeted and many are demanding we be defunded and killed. I ask that you please join me and the men and women of the NCSO, to pray for our strength. I ask that you remember and never forget the Dallas officers and all those officers since that have lost their lives. Never forget their families as they will never have another day where they will ever feel the same. As with any loss, they will feel a void like none other. Especially due to the way their loved ones were removed and taken from their lives.

To the families of DPD Senior Cpl. Lorne Ahrens, DPD Officer Michael Krol, DPD Sgt. Michael Smith, DART Officer Brent Thompson, DPD Officer Patricio "Patrick" Zamarrip I will remember the sacrifice these officers made and all those who have lost their lives since.

It seems I have posted and requested this more and more in the past year. But I do ask again, that you please pray for our officers and their families.

Thank you and God Bless,

Sheriff Elmer Tanner