BRUNSWICK

Members of local law enforcement agencies were grieving Friday and trying to make sense of Thursday night’s shooting that left five police officers dead and seven injured in Dallas, Texas.

The shooting took place during what was supposed to be a peaceful protest over fatal police shootings of black men in other states, police said.

“Obviously, we take it personally when one of our own is taken — anyone in the emergency services,” said Brunswick Police Lt. Tom Garrepy, who noted that officers were protecting the Black Lives Matter protesters during this tragedy, “and we have no words to express the sorrow we have.”

Such events impact all members of law enforcement, Garrepy said. It also raises their level of vigilance.

“We all understand that we have a job to do and we have the support of our administration, and a huge amount of support from the town,” he said.

The department wrote on its Facebook on Friday: “We, as a department and community, mourn the loss of life in Dallas, Texas. We extend our thoughts and prayers to the officers, civilians and their families during this tragedy. Our flags are flying at half staff in respect to those who have lost their lives.”

By this morning, the post had 70 shares and 41 comments.

“Today is a somber day for departments everywhere, but please know that your community supports you and appreciates BPD every day,” wrote on person. “Be safe, and thank you.”

Garrepy said Friday the department received an arrangement of flowers from Flowers, Etc., and a bouquet was left anonymously at the front doors of the station.

Garrepy said strangers had been thanking officers and giving them their support.

“It gives us that feeling that the community has our back,” he said.

Bath and Topsham police departments also received flowers as well as phone calls from people expressing support and asking how they can help. Someone brought Bath officers coffee and doughnuts.

Bath Police Lt. Robert Savary said it was a response reminiscent of the support for public safety agencies following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

“We’re talking extensively about it,” he said of the shootings Thursday. There was a lot of frustration amongst members of the department, as well as anger and sympathy.

“You get discouraged, obviously, hearing all the news and seeing what you see, and then somebody will come in and offer a kind word. We’ve got that a lot today from the public,” Savary said Friday.

“Even though it’s thousands of miles away, it does affect everybody that does the job,” said Topsham Police Chief Chris Lewis.

The flags flew at half staff as a reminder and officers wore black shroud mourning bands on their badges.

Lewis said officers are asking themselves if they’re doing enough to keep themselves safe.

“Are we being vigilant?” Lewis

said. “Are we making sure we have our vest on? Are we making sure our gear is ready to go once we walk outside the safe confines of our agency?”

Sagadahoc County Sheriff Joel Merry said a moment of silence was held at his department.

“I think we’re all troubled by the violence and some of the discourse that is taking place all across the country,” Merry said. “It’s been a conversation that’s been ongoing for a little while now and I think it was ramped up by the events that have occurred over the past week particularly. What’s happened in Dallas — it’s bad. It’s wrong. It provides no answers. It’s not the way a civilized society should be acting.

“Certainly it’s a sad day, but I think we’ll overcome (it),” Merry said. “Let’s hope that we can find the strength and courage to address the real issues that have caused this and that we can avoid such tragedy from happening again.”

dmoore@timesrecord.com