Officers across Central Texas stand united for anniversary of Dallas shooting
Law Enforcement across the State of Texas took a moment to pay their respect on the one year anniversary of the Dallas ambush that killed five officers.
Law enforcement from all over Central Texas lined the streets of the Capitol in downtown Austin and in unison turned on their lights to stand with all peace officers and remember those who lost their lives in the line of duty.
Commander Jose Ortiz is with the Texas Department of Public Safety, “It's important as law enforcement knows the job can be dangerous so it's opportunity to remind all law enforcement and the public the dangers associated with being a police officer. The men and woman risk their lives everyday to protect the citizens," he said.
Helicopter, patrol, motorcycle, bicycle and mounted officers were all on hand ready for the one-minute moment of silence marked with red and blue flashing lights. This after Governor Greg Abbott issued a statewide call for officers to stand together.
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READ: One Year Later: Dallas Police Ambush
It comes on a somber day for law enforcement as they laid to rest a fallen officer in San Antonio and remember the anniversary of the ambush on Dallas officers at a peaceful protest.
Asst. Chief Joseph Chacon is with the Austin Police Department, “You'll find that it's really tough going to these kinds of events, especially if you're at the funeral. But it's also so important to go, so that we honor those folks who have made the ultimate sacrifice, their families, and that we show the solidarity of law enforcement," he said.
READ: Injured Dallas protester remembers how officers comforted her during ambush shooting
Dart Officer Brent Thompson and Dallas Police Officers Patrick Zamarripa, Michael Krol, Sergeant Michael Smith and Corporal Lorne Ahrens were all shot and killed.
“It's very difficult to describe when bullets are flying, there are things that are going on that everybody is running away from and you see officers that are running towards it and that's a servant’s heart. They're putting their lives in harm’s way for people that they don't know," Asst. Chief Chacon said.
The ambush was the deadliest attack on police officers in the United States since the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
"Based on an oath that they swore, put themselves in harm’s way and made the ultimate sacrifice and died and we can't ever forget that," Asst. Chief Chacon said.