Two Edison police officers were scheduled to travel to Dallas on Tuesday to attend the funerals of the five Dallas officers killed during a demonstration last week.
EDISON -- Two officer's from the Edison Police Department's Honor Guard were scheduled to fly to Dallas on Tuesday to represent the township at funeral services for the five Dallas police officers killed by a sniper last week during a demonstration.
"Our police department stands in unity with the Dallas law enforcement community," said Edison police Chief Thomas Bryan in a statement. "Every man and woman, here or anywhere else, who swore an oath to protect and serve their community understands the risks of this job. When tragedies like this occur, we feel the loss and sadness profoundly."
The officers, which will fly at the expense of the Edison PBA Local 75 and the Superior Officers Association, "will join thousands of officers from police departments nationwide at Wednesday's services for Dallas Area Rapid Transit Officer Brent Thompson and police Senior Cpl. Lorne B. Ahrens, and at services for police Sgt. Michael J. Smith on Thursday." Final arrangements, the statement said, have not been finalized for slain officers Michael Krol and Patricio Zamarripa.
Following the Dallas attack last week -- which came toward the end of a demonstration protesting the recent fatal shootings of black men by police in Minnesota and Louisiana -- Edison Mayor Thomas Lankey ordered flags outside the Edison Municipal Complex lowered to half-staff and members of the township's uniformed services to wear black mourning bands on their badges, the statement said.
"At times like these, it is important for diverse communities like Edison to stand together in unity and show mutual respect and tolerance," Mayor Lankey said in the statement. "Each of us must recognize there is no room for divisiveness in our hearts, our minds, or our town."
PBA President Michael Schwarz added that "In the face of such senseless violence in Dallas, Edison is very proud to show our unconditional, unwavering support for our brothers and sisters in blue, and for their families."
Bryan and Schwarz said in the statement that Edison, "unlike other communities across the country, (Edison) does not have a racial, ethnic, or cultural divide between its residents and its police officers."
"That takes dedication and work," Bryan said. "Our officers believe in (the) value of community policing and they routinely work to maintain and strengthen a respectful, supportive relationship with our broadly diverse population."
Spencer Kent may be reached at skent@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SpencerMKent. Find the Find NJ.com on Facebook.