Inland Empire law enforcement mourn loss of Dallas officers

RIALTO, Calif. (KABC) -- It's a tough time for peace officers form a tight-knit community and police across the country, as they mourn the loss of those in Dallas while being told to watch their backs out in the field.

Thirteen-thousand miles away from Dallas, the Rialto Police Department lowered its flag to half-staff in memory of five fallen police officers.

In San Bernardino, officers were wearing a black band to mourn the loss with their Dallas brothers and sisters in blue. The law enforcement community was standing in solidarity while calling for calm.

"That there is a broader discussion here, that there are issues, and we need to be sensitive to what those issues are, but at the same time, we expect our officers to do their job, to be professional; to do their job in a safe way and to watch out for one another," said Chief Jarod Burguan of the San Bernardino Police Department.

The attack in Dallas brings back a flood of memories for other police agencies.

In Riverside, a memorial to fallen officers holds the names of men and women in blue who lost their lives while wearing the uniform. At least two of the Riverside officers listed were killed in an ambush.

Riverside County Sheriff Stan Sniff issued a department memo to his deputies and staff. In it, he expresses the department's shared sadness and advises all to stay safe in the line of duty.

The statement read in part: "Remain vigilant without over-reaction or under-reaction, but above all, remain focused on teamwork."

As the Dallas Police Department begins to process its own grief, local law enforcement agencies are ready to help.

"You tell them the same thing a lot of people told us during the tragedies we've had over the last six years," said Detective Aurelio Melendez of the Riverside Police Officers Association. "You know, 'We are here for you. Anything we can do to help you.'"