All of PORAC mourns the senseless murders in Dallas Thursday evening of police officers who were targeted because they wore a uniform that distinguishes them as the front line of community protection and service.

The killing of five police officers and the wounding of six others is a tragic, almost unimaginable example of the dangers law enforcement confronts now on a daily basis.

Everyone, policymakers, law enforcement and private citizens alike, must take notice that the appalling level of escalating violence in our communities is a national crisis.

We are reminded again that the war on law enforcement is more than a source of terrible grief. We must consider as a society how we are going to resolve a situation where the peace officer is targeted in the course and scope of enforcing our laws.

We also remember that those who choose violence also wounded two innocent bystanders in Texas.

Families have been shattered and children are left without a parent, and we as individuals have lost courageous examples of civility and commitment and courage.

We pray for those brave officers who gave all, and we grieve and offer our complete support in the coming days to their loved ones and colleagues.

We work in perilous conditions. PORAC urges every man and woman who proudly wears a badge to be vigilant.

God bless all of you.

Mike Durant is president of the Peace Officers Research Association of California, or PORAC, which was incorporated in 1953 as a professional federation of local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. Today, PORAC represents 66,000 public safety members and 911 associations, making it the largest law enforcement organization in California and the largest statewide association in the nation.