By BECKY CRISSMAN

becky.crissman@cordeledispatch.com

CORDELE — The aftermath of a Thursday night shooting in Dallas, Texas left five officers dead and five others along with two civilians injured.

Thursday night’s protest, turned massacre is being called the deadliest attack on U.S. law enforcement since September 11, 2001. Law enforcement agents all over the country mourn the loss of their comrades at the hands of a sniper set with his mind set on nothing more but the death of white people, more specifically white officers in retaliation to recent officer involved shootings.

“I am troubled by a society that thinks they can go out, openly shoot and take the lives of those sworn to protect and serve their respective communities and uphold the law,” said Sheriff Billy Hancock of the Crisp County Sheriff’s Office. “I am not insensitive to the families of those who have lost their lives due to conflict with officers.”

Hancock said he hoped that people will give the opportunity for cases such as those to be looked at and circumstances reviewed before jumping to conclusions.

“Sometimes officers step out of their boundaries,” he said. “Let the legal system take care of those. Do not ruin more lives. Give the system a chance to work. It has gotten us this far.”

Hancock says the thoughts and prayers of himself and the department are with the families and loved ones of the officers who lost their lives Thursday night and they hope those injured, both officers and civilians will have a speedy recovery.

Cordele Police Chief Lewis Green echoed Hancock’s thoughts in regards to the tragedy and expressed concern for our local law enforcement.

“We are cautious,” said Green. “That is all we can do. It is our wish to go home to our families and loved ones everyday just like anyone else.”

Green said police officers here are not out to harm anybody. They just want to be of service to the community they are sworn to protect.

“It is not US against THEM,” he said. “We are here to do our duty to the people. Our entire department sends their condolences to the families of those lost to this tragic act, their loved ones and the department. The entire country feels this loss right now.”