text: A sad development
  Published 10:47 am Tuesday, May 12, 2015
  Today we continue to mourn the tragedy that struck the Hattiesburg Police Department.
  The horrific killing of two police officers not only shattered the lives of families in Hattiesburg, but the effects of the senseless killings rippled through the entire state and nation.
  While the murders were not in our community, the thoughts and prayers of everyone in Vicksburg and Warren County are with the families of the officers killed and the department that must move on after the loss of their colleagues and friends.
  Sadly, the murders took place on National Police Week, a week aimed at honoring the commitment to community and dedication to service before self each member of the police department and sheriff’s department has. It is their service to our safety and well being that this week is designed to honor.
  It appears there is a national escalation on attacks on police in the wake of very public incidents where officers have been involved in the deaths of some suspects. In some cases, the officers have been cleared of any wrong doing, while in other cases, officers were found to have acted improperly and action is being taken.
  But, these actions are few in number and sadly overshadow the every day work put in by law enforcement officers throughout the country.
  Locally, both Vicksburg Police Department and the Warren County Sheriff’s Department do an excellent job at community policing. They both support Neighborhood Watch programs that encourage interaction between law enforcement and community members.
  Vicksburg Police also started a program in which officers go door-to-door in neighborhoods across the city to meet residents and hear their concerns.
  Both agencies are also extremely honest in their reporting of crime stats, even when it can have the appearance of hurting.
  We report every crime, according to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program, even though many agencies in Mississippi do not.
  That reporting is about trust, as is community policing.
  While we continue to mourn the loss of life from this weekend, we stand encouraged by the strength and commitment our law enforcement community continues to have.
  Today we mourn, but we also stand thankful.