Top area law enforcement officers spoke out Sunday against the Baton Rouge, La., shooting that resulted in the deaths of three police officers and injured three more.
Chattanooga Police Chief Fred Fletcher called the shooting "another cowardly attack on police officers."
"Today our thoughts and prayers go out to all those affected by this tragedy," he wrote on the Chattanooga Police Department Facebook page.
Statement from Bradley County Sheriff Eric Watson
Sheriff Watson's statement came after press time. You can read it below: "I am sickened and appalled by the events unfolding in Baton Rouge today. I, along with the entire Bradley County Sheriff's Office, grieve for the brave men and women of the Louisiana law enforcement community. Sadly, today's events and those in Dallas, once again demonstrate the profound dangers law enforcement face and witness on a daily basis. Law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day to confront crime and violence in our communities. They do this because they took an oath to safeguard their fellow citizens. They believe in that oath, and they feel an allegiance to and pride for the citizens they protect and the communities they serve. Tragically, the troubling reality is that today law enforcement officers are being targeted just for wearing a uniform. This is intolerable, inexcusable, and totally unacceptable. It is essential to remember that law enforcement officers, like the people they protect, are fathers, mothers, husbands, wives, daughters, and sons. Despite the passions aroused by recent events, we must realize that violence is never the solution. Understanding recent challenges, we call on community leaders to work with the law enforcement community to address issues of mutual concern, identify solutions, modify rhetoric, and ensure safer communities for our citizens and our officers."
The incident came less than two weeks after a black man was shot and killed by police in Baton Rouge and 10 days after five Dallas police officers were ambushed and killed by a sniper.
Cleveland, Tenn., Police Chief Mark Gibson wrote in an email that his officers will be taking extra precaution when responding to calls. Chattanooga police also took measures Sunday to ensure that additional manpower would be readily available if needed on calls.
"This is a trying and difficult time for law enforcement across our country," Fletcher wrote. "I want to assure our great city that the officers of the Chattanooga Police Department - your officers - will continue to place themselves at risk to stand between violence and our community and that we will do all we can to protect your officers."
Fletcher asked the community to watch for anything out of the ordinary that might threaten the community or officers.
"If you see something, please say something," he wrote. "And to my officers, I ask they each remain relentlessly vigilant, never cease watching out for their fellow officers, continue to selflessly serve our community, and make it home to the ones they love at the end of their shift."
Gibson called the attack "senseless" and said it was carried out by "cowards and terrorists."
"This attack has left our country and our communities heartbroken, further threatening the efforts to resolve current issues peacefully," he wrote.
Hamilton County Sheriff Jim Hammond said on News Channel 9 that law enforcement officers are out there to save human lives and that their lives need to be valued.
"We tell them [our officers] to hug their family and go out there and be cautious as you do the things you were trained to do," he said. "Even in all that, it's very hard to protect in an assassination attempt against a police officer."
Contact staff writer David Cobb at 423-757-6249 or dcobb@timesfreepresscom. Follow him on Twitter @DavidWCobb.