In nearly three decades on the force, Dallas First Assistant Police Chief Charles Cato said he can never remember a time where citizens came to police and asked to pray.
But on Monday night, less than 72 hours after a gunman opened fire on Dallas Police, a group of citizens and community leaders did just that, they prayed on the steps of Dallas Police headquarters.
With strangers and police officers holding hands, they bowed their heads to pray and give thanks that so many lives were spared.
"I've been here 27 years on the police department. I haven't experienced anything like this, with a body of believers coming together to lift us up in prayer," said Cato.
Claudia Fowler, a member of Community Care, said in the early morning hours of Saturday, Dallas Police officers acted with courage and strength. This was her way of saying thank you for their service.
"They are men and women who wear the blue every day and that they risk their lives. They want to go home at night just like the rest of us want to go home at night. So it's very important they understand they have community support," Fowler said.
"The reality is a lot of us don't see the times you guys are under attack. But the world saw how you were under attack on Friday," said another citizen.
Local
The latest news from around North Texas.
Cato said he was moved beyond words.
"You can't put a price on it. You can't even put the value on how much it means to know that people do care. Often times we only hear the critics and the people who aren't happy to see us when we're there. So it's good to see and hear people expressing some acknowledgment to what the men and women do and the sacrifice they make in the department," he said.
James Boulware, 35, was fatally shot by police after firing the shots, leading police on a chase and barricading himself inside an armored van for hours. Authorities and family members said Boulware showed signs of violence and mental instability for years before the attack.
