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Mississippi reacts to Baton Rouge police shootings

Therese Apel, The Clarion-Ledger

When Mississippians woke up Sunday morning to the news that several officers had been shot and three were dead in Baton Rouge, they took to social media. 

Two Baton Rouge police officers and an East Baton Rouge sheriff's deputy were killed in some kind of shootout in Baton Rouge Sunday morning.

Government officials, law enforcement agencies, businesses and private citizens seemed shellshocked at the news, as the death toll rose to three officers with six shot overall. Shaky internet videos circulated in which police vehicles could be seen and gunshots could be heard, and it was different than, but all too reminiscent of, the ambush attacks in Dallas July 7.

Mississippi reeled when 12 Dallas officers were shot, five fatally, but Louisiana seemed to some to be uncomfortably close to home. 

Tensions have been high between some residents and law enforcement in the wake of the highly publicized shootings of Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge and Philando Castile of Minnesota. Some call the shootings racially motivated, and there have been protests, both peaceful and not as peaceful, in the weeks following.

Gov. Phil Bryant, a former law enforcement officer himself, weighed in on the tragedy on Facebook and Twitter. 

"Today's events in Baton Rouge are shocking, sad and outrageous. The men and women who willingly put themselves in harm's way to maintain public safety deserve nothing less than our full support," Bryant posted. "I would ask all Mississippians to rally around our law enforcement and join Deborah and me in praying for the families of the fallen."

Even as many local agencies were returning from spending time in Dallas for the fallen officers' memorials there, local law enforcement officers around the state weighed in with grief and solidarity. 

The Jackson Police Department's Facebook page carried a message of police unity. Above a photo of a Baton Rouge police patch, JPD's post read, "Jackson PD stands strong with Baton Rouge PD during this tragic situation.‪#‎standupamerica.‬"

Calhoun County Sheriff Greg Pollan posted to Facebook and Twitter a photo of Mississippi and Louisiana, with a blue line through the black background and the phrase, "We are one family. You are in our prayers."

Richland Police Department's Facebook page carried a message for Baton Rouge as well, asking the public to pray for law enforcement. 

"Our hearts are breaking for law enforcement in Baton Rouge and their families," it said. "This is dangerous and scary times for law enforcement all over this country. Please pray for your local law enforcement officers and their families."

In Oxford, the post of the police department there, known to use its social media regularly to connect with the community, seemed almost to be a prayer.

"Terrible news out of Baton Rouge. God, wrap your arms around that community. We hurt for our brothers and sisters at the Baton Rouge Police Department," the Facebook post read, next to a photo of a Baton Rouge patch and a lit candle.

Mississippi Highway Patrol's Jackson division Tweeted its condolences. "We are praying for the city of Baton Rouge and the families of the fallen officers."

Just down U.S. 10 and U.S. 12 from Baton Rouge, the Gulfport Police Department mourned for the fallen as well. 

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to @BRPD, @TheCityofBR and the families who have been affected by this tragedy," Tweeted the department's public information officer.

Madison Police Department's Twitter summed up the family aspect all law enforcement call their own.

"Praying for our Brothers and Sisters in Blue this morning at @BRPD#TheThinBlueLine," it said.

ContactTherese Apel at tapel@gannett.com. Follow her on Facebook and Twitter.