Statement by Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle On the Assassination of Law Enforcement Officers in Dallas

Like all Americans, I was horrified to learn today about the assassination of five law enforcement officers in Dallas last night. The officers were performing their official duties during a peaceful march protesting police-involved shootings of black men this week in Minnesota and Louisiana. All reports indicate the Dallas Police Department was handling its duties professionally and that interactions between officers and protesters were calm and well-managed. Police officers have an extremely difficult job, and nothing can justify what we saw in Dallas last night. While we must support the right of people to protest what they believe to be official misconduct, we must also strongly condemn violence and support the rule of law. The killing of these officers is an outrage and I extend my sympathies to the families of these officers and all of the residents of Dallas.