Residents lined streets in Fox Lake, Illinois, Tuesday holding signs of support for police following the fatal shooting of a veteran officer in the area.
Signs that read “Police Lives Matter” and “We Stand with Blue” were held by supporters along area roadways as officials continued a manhunt for three armed suspects in the shooting of Lt. Joe Gliniewicz.
“Out here today to show that police lives matter, every life matters,” said resident Gina Maria. “I think it’s time we rally around our law enforcement and stop the madness.”
The Fox Lake community continued to mourn Gliniewicz, who had served 30 years on the force and was a beloved father of four. Support for the sign holders was evident as passing cars honked and residents gathered, stunned by the tragedy that hit the community.
Maria said other residents brought her food and water as she stood on the side of the road holding her sign for hours Tuesday.
“I have seen complete outpour of support from the community,” she said. “People bringing me drinks, water, honking horns.”
The shooting is latest officer shooting in recent months. On Friday, a Houston-area sheriff’s deputy was ambushed at a gas station and shot 15 times, according to authorities.
The killing evoked strong emotions in the local law enforcement community, with Harris County Sheriff Ron Hickman linking it to heightened tension over the treatment of African-Americans by police. Hickman and Harris County District Attorney Devon Anderson pushed back against the criticism of police.
"We've heard Black Lives Matter, All Lives Matter. Well, cops' lives matter, too," Hickman said Saturday.
Fox Lake residents say the incident highlights the need to show support for law enforcement officers who risk their lives to protect others.
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“The suport is there and we need to let our law enforcement know that we do still believe in them and we support them,” Maria said.