Support For Fallen Texas Peace Officer Spans Across The State
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NORTH TEXAS (CBSDFW.COM) - It was a very somber morning at the Irving Police Department on O'Connor Road Friday morning. Members of the department went to their squad cars and turned on their red and blue lights. The one-minute show of support was for Harris County Sheriff's Deputy Darren Goforth, who was shot dead a week ago while putting gas in his patrol car in Houston.
♦♦♦ GALLERY: Funeral for Harris County Deputy Darren Goforth ♦♦♦
As part of the salute to Deputy Goforth the Irving Police Department lined up some 20 vehicles in front of police headquarters. But participation was citywide – officers out on patrol pulled to the side of the road and turned on their lights.
The silent salute to Deputy Goorth was something Governor Greg Abbott urged. He wanted every department across the state to show their support and back the blue movement. On Thursday, the Governor ordered that Texas flags across the state be lowered to half-staff on the day of the funeral.
In a press release statement the governor said, "We must come together to honor Deputy Goforth and the essential role law enforcement plays in serving and protecting our states' families and communities."
Irving Assistant Police Chief Jeff Spivey said it was important for the department to participate. "I think to show solidarity for a fellow officer, who gave his life for the job he loved doing, and [have an] opportunity to remind the citizens that we are here to serve and them that we grieve as well. Just to show that support [is something that] seems to be missing right now in a segment of our community."
Departments across North Texas took similar steps to publicly stand with their brothers and sisters in law enforcement. Dozens of Dallas police officers loaded a bus Friday morning and headed south to attend Deputy Goforth's service in Houston.
Ron Pinkston, the president of the Dallas Police Association, says it's not an easy time to be an officer. In fact, he says many Dallas officers are concerned for their safety. "After the Abilene killing officers are on edge. They don't know what's happening. They fear for their families at home. No longer is it when we are at work, we are worried about when we get home. Who is watching our families when we are watching all the families in Dallas?"
Most officials agreed there is work to be done by the public and by peace officers. Irving Assistant Chief Spivey says members of law enforcement have to do a better job of reaching out to the community and developing a trusting relationship.
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