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District Attorneys On High Alert

WILKES-BARRE — Police in Texas are investigating the murder of two high ranking prosecutors there. Over the weekend, District Attorney Mike McLelland and ...

WILKES-BARRE -- Police in Texas are investigating the murder of two high ranking prosecutors there. Over the weekend, District Attorney Mike McLelland and his wife Cynthia were found shot to death in their home outside Dallas.

The killing comes almost two months after Assistant District Attorney Mark Hasse was shot and killed in broad daylight outside the courthouse in the same county, in Texas.

Today, Luzerne County District Attorney Stefanie Salavantis told Newswatch 16 about the dangerous aspects of her job, and the increased security measures taken to ensure her safety.

Over the years, plenty of dangerous criminals have been brought to justice at the Luzerne County Courthouse. It's the job of District Attorney Stefanie Salavantis to prosecute those who break the law.

"We put the bad guys behind bars, and we`re the face that they see when they are sent to jail and everybody has those worries," said District Attorney Stefanie Salavantis.

She's the top prosecutor for the county. She takes on the highest criminal cases. She's the one most at risk of becoming a target for those who have had trouble with the law.

After hearing what happened over the weekend in Texas, she's particularly cautious.

"All I thought about was the family and all the staff there in the district attorney`s office and what they`re going through. It`s just terrible," said Salavantis.

She said emails had been sent throughout DA's offices across the state, and everyone is on high alert.

Despite the dangers, Salavantis said she works through the fear, because ultimately she said these criminals need to be punished for their crimes.

"We have to continue putting the bad guys behind bars even if we are fearful. This is our job, and no one will make us that fearful that we stop doing what we do and keeping the community safe," said Salavantis.

Even if it means putting their own safety at risk.

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