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Law Enforcement Ceremony Draws Large Crowd in Towanda

TOWANDA — A special ceremony Thursday in Bradford County paid tribute to the police officers in Dallas killed last week during an ambush. Bradford County ...
brad ceremony

TOWANDA -- A special ceremony Thursday in Bradford County paid tribute to the police officers in Dallas killed last week during an ambush.

Bradford County law enforcement may be especially sympathetic to their comrades in Dallas because in 2004 two sheriff's deputies were shot and killed in the line of duty.

"My father used to be a member of the law enforcement agency over in East Smithfield for a while so we decided to come out here and show our support," said Andrew Pfeiffer of Gillett.

The Bradford County commissioners organized the ceremony in Towanda to show support for the five Dallas police officers killed last week in the line of duty.

"We're outraged at what the temperament is in our country towards law enforcement" said Commissioner Doug McLinko, (R) Bradford County.

"It makes you know the community is supporting you for what you do, and they believe in what you do, and they respect the job that you do," said Bradford County Sheriff C.J. Walters.

One speaker said the recent violence involving police is not a white issue or a black issue.  The people who attended the ceremony fully support these officers.

"We need their help and we need to stand behind them.  This country is a mess and we need all of their support and whatever we can do to help them, we need to be there for them," said Marcia Flanagan of Towanda.

The people in Bradford County know exactly what the people in Dallas are going through.  Back in 2004, two sheriff's deputies were killed in the line of duty.

"It is chilling.  It crushed the families.  we Lost two outstanding men that day," said Commissioner McLinko.

In 2004, Deputies Christopher Burgert and Michael Van Kuren were serving a warrant and were shot and killed.

When the officers in Texas were killed, officials say it brought back the scars and pain from 2004.

"We come to work every day and we look at the monument as we pull into work.  We know it can happen here and anytime a law enforcement officer's life is taken it hits home," Walters said.

The Bradford County commissioners say every time there is an officer-related shooting anywhere in the country, it feels like 2004 all over again.  The commissioners hope by holding memorials like this one it can bring our country together.

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