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Calls of condolences and statements of sympathy poured into Pittsburgh yesterday as officials in state, local and national government reacted to the slayings of three Pittsburgh police officers:
"We have received condolence calls from [President Obama's] office, from Gov. Rendell, from Sen. Casey, and from my colleague across the state, [Philadelphia] Mayor Nutter.... Today has been indeed a very difficult day. This week no doubt will be a very difficult week. But I believe, as Pittsburghers always do, we will get through this. We will unite, we will remain strong, and we will remember these three officers and the ultimate sacrifice that they made. We thank them."
-- LUKE RAVENSTAHL, PITTSBURGH MAYOR
"On behalf of the Council of the City of Pittsburgh, I want to express our most sincere and heartfelt sympathy to the families of the three dedicated police officers who lost their lives today in the course of performing their sworn public duties.... When a tragedy like this occurs, we are all humbly reminded in the cruelest sense that life is fleeting and that the good men and women who wear the uniform face the threat of danger daily."
-- DOUG SHIELDS, CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT AND OTHER MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
"What a heartbreaking experience it is for them and what a heartbreaking experience it was for me and what a heartbreaking experience it is for the city of Pittsburgh and beyond."
-- DAVID ZUBIK, CATHOLIC BISHOP SPEAKING AT A "GATHERING OF PEACE" RALLY AT HEINZ FIELD, SHORTLY AFTER MEETING WITH FAMILIES OF TWO OF THE FALLEN OFFICERS
"Today's events are a stark reminder of the dangers that police officers face every day and of the fragility of life itself. No matter how skilled and dedicated a police officer may be, there are times when the human body is no match for what is used against it. Today's grief extends beyond the families of these officers into the entire community, and we feel empty because of it."
-- STEPHEN A. ZAPPALA JR., ALLEGHENY COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY
"My thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of the police officers who were killed and injured during the tragedy in Stanton Heights. My condolences also go out to every police officer in the line of duty. I have made the full resources of the Allegheny County government available to assist with this tragedy."
-- DAN ONORATO, ALLEGHENY COUNTY EXECUTIVE
"The governor is shocked and saddened by this senseless act of violence and extends his sympathy to the families of the fallen officers and the entire Pittsburgh Police department family. He will keep the [wounded officers] in his thoughts and prayers as the city emerges from this tragic event."
-- CHUCK ARDO, SPOKESMAN FOR GOV. ED RENDELL
"I am greatly saddened by today's events. They serve as a grave reminder of the daily heroism of police officers across the country. I would like to extend myself and my office's resources to the Pittsburgh community. My thoughts and prayers are with the officers' families and the greater Pittsburgh community."
-- ARLEN SPECTER, U.S. SENATOR
First Published April 5, 2009 1:04 am
