Watch CBS News

North Texas Police Face New Reality After NY Police Murders

IRVING, TX. (CBSDFW.COM) --The execution shooting deaths of two New York City police officers is sending ripples throughout law enforcement in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex

Police departments like Irving Police said ambush attacks on officers are a reality of the job they unfortunately now must be aware of when patrolling the streets.

"You can't let you consumer you," said Officer Brian Stahl.

As a veteran to the force for 10 years, Stahl know there is no such thing as a routine night. From wrecks and traffic stops and to fights and shootings, Stahl said the dangers of patrolling a city can arise unexpectedly.

"99% of the time they're lost or they need directions or they need to make a report about something and they're not dangerous. It's just that one percent of the time where something bad could happen like a New York," said Stahl.

Investigators said the two NYPD officer who were fatally shot were killed by a disgruntled Baltimore man who wanted revenge for the deaths of Mike Brown and Eric Garner

"It's sad that it came to that. And it's sad that two officers lost their lives so senselessly," said Stahl.

Stahl knows how fragile life can be out in the field. He nearly lost his life when he was shot at while responding to a domestic violence call in June of 2013.

"If I had it my way, you'd never have to pull the trigger and that's what every officer feels," said Stahl.

For those critical of their local police departments, Stahl invites residents to have a conversation with an officer before making judgements.

"We're human just like everyone else. We have families, we have feelings, we have emotions," said Stahl.

From the moment he clocks in and blocks outs, Stahl only wants to go home to his wife and two young boys.

"You never know when your time is going to come," said Stahl.

(©2014 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

 

Latest News:

Top Trending:

 

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.