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Police Earn Thank Yous As Danbury Mourns Fallen Dallas Officers

FAIRFIELD COUNTY, Conn. -- Police, politicians and the public across all of Fairfield County are reacting with shock and disbelief to the murder of five Dallas Police officers and the wounding of six others in an ambush Thursday night.

Two young residents deliver a thank you gift to the Monroe Police Department in light of the Dallas police shootings.

Two young residents deliver a thank you gift to the Monroe Police Department in light of the Dallas police shootings.

Photo Credit: Monroe Police Department/Facebook
This bouquet of red roses was delivered Friday with a thank you note to the Norwalk Police Department.

This bouquet of red roses was delivered Friday with a thank you note to the Norwalk Police Department.

Photo Credit: Norwalk Police Department / Instagram
Connecticut State Police at Troop G received a bouquet from Landan Marine in Norwalk as a thank you.

Connecticut State Police at Troop G received a bouquet from Landan Marine in Norwalk as a thank you.

Photo Credit: Connecticut State Police
Two young residents deliver a thank you gift to the Monroe Police Department in light of the Dallas police shootings.

Two young residents deliver a thank you gift to the Monroe Police Department in light of the Dallas police shootings.

Photo Credit: contributed

A few members of the public put their thoughts into action. On Friday morning, a man walked into Stamford Police Headquarters with a box of doughnuts to show his support for the officers.

"I just want to show my respect for them," said the man who declined to give his name. He said the Dallas shootings plus the positive interactions he has had with police prompted him to to show his support.

There were other shows of support throughout the area, all of which drew an appreciative response by police.

Norwalk Police thanked a member of the public who dropped off a flower arrangement and thank you card. Chief Tom Kulhawik, via Twitter, also said, "A big thank you for the emails and calls as well as the pizza and flowers delivered to the PD. We appreciate it!"

On its Facebook page, the Monroe Police Department extended its gratitude for the outpouring of support it has received, including from two young boys who dropped off a gift at police headquarters.

"Nationally, it's been tough for law enforcement as of late and we are comforted to know we have the support of the Monroe community," the department said in a message.

Connecticut State Police at Troop G received a bouquet from Landan Marine in Norwalk.

Stamford Mayor David Martin released a statement Friday afternoon decrying the Dallas shootings as well as a pair of police-involved shootings.

“Our hearts go out to the families and loved ones impacted by the tragic loss of life in Texas, Minnesota and Louisiana this week," he said in the statement. "I join the Stamford community, and the country as a whole, in shock and grief over the horrible, premeditated murder of police officers in Dallas, Texas. Hatred and extremism drive a vicious cycle that can tear communities apart. This has to stop.”

Fellow Democratic Mayor Harry Rilling of Norwalk, also expressed his shock.

As a former Norwalk police chief, Rilling said the Norwalk Police Department has worked hard to provide "fair and impartial policing" by instituting special training "for front-line officers, as a response to nationwide concerns about racial, ethnic, gender, and other bias in policing."

On its Facebook page, the Fairfield Police Department expressed its sorrow.

"The Fairfield Police Department mourns the loss of life from tragic violence in Dallas. Our hearts are heavy and our thoughts and prayers remain with our Brothers and Sisters of the Dallas Police Department along with the victims and their families."

The Danbury Police Department also expressed sorrow.

"The Danbury Police Department is saddened by the senseless murdering of our fellow officers in Dallas. As a department, as a family and more importantly as a community we must stand together. We will keep the Dallas Police Department and their community in our prayers."

Capt. Robert Berry sent a message to his fellow Greenwich Police officers in a Facebook post to remind them of their duty and responsibilities.

"As we mourn for our fallen brethren we must focus on the values for which they dedicated themselves—protecting the public from all threats, equitably enforcing the law and ensuring all have equal access to the rights afforded to them by the Constitution," he said.

"There will be many, on all sides of the issue, who try to use these events to bolster their extremist views and further enflame society. Our role, as it has been since the dawn of policing, is to dispassionately do our duty without bias and to do our best no matter the hostility and ill-aimed rage directed against us. That is what makes law enforcement a noble calling and makes each one of you who don the badge a key cornerstone of our American society."

"As we have to put on our body armor each day in order to protect ourselves from those that would harm us or the ones we are sworn to protect, we must also don our moral armor—including fairness, compassion and integrity—as we continue, as we always have, to provide superior police service."

U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy and other Connecticut politicians also express shock at the police shootings. Read about it here on the Daily Voice

The town of Weston holds a prayer vigil as it lowers the flags to half-staff. Read about it here on the Daily Voice.

A march will be held Sunday in Bridgeport to promote healing. Read about it here on the Daily Voice

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