Goodlatte Statement on Dallas Police Shootings

Washington, D.C.  – House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) today issued the following statement on the attack on Dallas police officers, which killed five and injured seven police officers: “Too many people have lost their lives this week due to senseless acts of violence.“Last night’s attack on Dallas police officers, leaving seven injured and five dead, is an attack on all of us. I mourn the loss of these brave officers’ lives, pray for the injured, and stand united with the law enforcement community. Every day, these brave men and women protect our neighborhoods from criminals, fight crime, ensure justice, and keep the peace. They patrol neighborhoods late at night and early in the morning while we sleep in the comforts of our homes. They run to danger while we run away from it.“I also mourn the loss of life in Baton Rouge and St. Paul earlier this week. More can and must be done to strengthen police accountability and the relationship between police officers and the communities they are sworn to protect and serve. But one thing is clear: violent retaliation against the police cannot be the manner in which we as Americans respond to officer-involved shootings. “The ongoing racial tensions in our nation must be addressed so that we all respect one another as fellow human beings made in the image of God. All life is precious. Our nation needs to come together and address these tensions so that we can overcome unjustified acts of violence. We must live up to our nation’s values of liberty and justice for all. “While many issues contribute to this problem, the House Judiciary Committee is working on a bipartisan basis on a bill to help protect law enforcement officers’ lives, increase police accountability, and enhance public safety. We will continue our work on this issue and explore other ways to address this matter of national importance.”  ###