KAUFMAN COUNTY, Texas — After five Dallas police officers were killed and seven others were injured last week in a targeted attack in downtown Dallas, law enforcement agencies across Kaufman County have received an outpouring of support from community members.
KAUFMAN COUNTY, Texas — After five Dallas police officers were killed and seven others were injured last week in a targeted attack in downtown Dallas, law enforcement agencies across Kaufman County have received an outpouring of support from community members.
“At times, it seems like the forces pulling us apart are stronger than the forces binding us together,” former President George W. Bush said at an interfaith memorial service on Tuesday honoring the five fallen officers in Dallas.
“Argument turns too easily into animosity,” said Bush. “Disagreement escalates too quickly into dehumanization.”
“Too often we judge other groups by their worst examples, while judging ourselves by our best intentions,” he said.
Community members across Kaufman County have shown an outpouring of support in the days following the Dallas tragedy.
On Saturday, in Travis Ranch, neighbors welcomed home Dallas Rapid Area Transit police officer Lee Cannon, who was injured in the shooting, with signs of support and encouragement.
The Forney Police Department, Crandall Police Department, Kaufman Police Department, and Terrell Police Department have also received cards, gifts, food, and other gestures of support the last couple of days.
In Forney, several children provided law enforcement “survival kits” filled with candy.
A note attached to the kits describes each piece of candy: Lifesaver, to remind you of the many times you’ve been one; Starburst, for the burst of energy that you need; Payday, since you’re not doing it for the money; Hershey Kisses, to show our love for you; gum, to help everyone stick together; Tootsie Roll, you have to roll with the punches; peppermint patty, helping you keep your cool; Snickers, to help keep your humor; and Mounds, for the mounds of courage you show.
“We would like to thank you for thinking of us and showing your support,” the Forney Police Department stated on Facebook. “We really appreciate it!”
In Crandall, Chief Billy Kilgore told inForney.com a young man insisted on paying for his and his lieutenant’s lunch and thanked them for their service.
“With all that's going on in this world, it's nice to see something positive and supportive,” stated Kilgore. “ For someone that young to take the time to come talk to us and take care of us was just amazing. It saddens me that the youth today have to grow up in this mess we are dealing with.”
In Kaufman, 10-year-old Sage wrote the police department offering an apology for the loss of their fellow law enforcement officers.
“Without cops, robbers and bad guys would be in control,” stated Sage. “I appreciate everything you have done. Stay strong.”
“This, ladies and gentlemen, is why we do it day in and day out,” stated the Kaufman Police Department. “This is what gives us hope.”
In Terrell, downtown businesses donated to purchase a mourning flag for the department and presented two framed memorial pieces as well as letters from several community members and children.
The two framed pieces are temporarily displayed at the current police department and will be permanently displayed at the new police department once it opens in November, according to the City of Terrell.
A memorial ceremony was held at the Kaufman County Law Enforcement Center last Friday where county officials honored the fallen law enforcement officers and offered their support after those same agencies offered support to the county when Kaufman County District Attorney Mike McLelland, his wife, Cynthia, and Assistant District Attorney Mark Hasse were murdered in 2014. Watch video from that ceremony below.
