A high-ranking Dallas Police official apologized Monday for the decision to provide a police escort for the funeral procession of Dallas Chief David Brown's son, who was fatally shot after he gunned down a Lancaster police officer and another man.
But First Assistant Chief Charlie Cato defended the decision as having been made to ensure public safety, the Dallas Morning News reported.
The police escort had outraged Dallas and Lancaster police officers, as well as others, who said it was disrespectful to provide a police escort for a cop killer.
"The decision to utilize these resources was unplanned, and the sole purpose of their presence was to address the immediate public safety issue," Cato wrote in a prepared statement, according to the article by Morning New writer Tanya Eiserer.
"We recognized there might be concerns about our decision," Cato wrote. "I truly regret and apologize to anyone who has been offended or hurt by this decision. Please know that neither I nor [Deputy Chief Julian Bernal] intended in any way to be disrespectful to any fallen officer."
The Morning News earlier had reported that Bernal had issued the last-minute order for the escort.
You can read more of Eiserer's report in the Morning News here.
-- Lance Murray
But First Assistant Chief Charlie Cato defended the decision as having been made to ensure public safety, the Dallas Morning News reported.
The police escort had outraged Dallas and Lancaster police officers, as well as others, who said it was disrespectful to provide a police escort for a cop killer.
"The decision to utilize these resources was unplanned, and the sole purpose of their presence was to address the immediate public safety issue," Cato wrote in a prepared statement, according to the article by Morning New writer Tanya Eiserer.
"We recognized there might be concerns about our decision," Cato wrote. "I truly regret and apologize to anyone who has been offended or hurt by this decision. Please know that neither I nor [Deputy Chief Julian Bernal] intended in any way to be disrespectful to any fallen officer."
The Morning News earlier had reported that Bernal had issued the last-minute order for the escort.
You can read more of Eiserer's report in the Morning News here.
-- Lance Murray
This is a bunch of CYOA BS, they knew exactly what they did was wrong, now they caught they want to apologize
Posted by: is Cato's statement from the stockyards?? | June 29, 2010 at 04:17 PM
I can't imagine any cop wanting to do that escort and they should have refused. However, they also could have considered the issue and hired private security to provide the escorts.
This creep (Chief's son or not) should have been buried privately...at night...with no attendees.
Posted by: G-Man | June 30, 2010 at 10:22 AM
I agree with G- Man
Posted by: Diana | June 30, 2010 at 06:53 PM