Dallas PD Second-in-Command Apologizes for Controversial Funeral Escort

The top lieutenant of Dallas Police Chief David Brown has apologized for another commander's decision to order about a dozen police motorcycles to escort the funeral procession for Brown's son who had gunned down a Lancaster officer on Father's Day.  While apologizing, though, First Assistant Chief Charlie Cato also defended the order, saying the "...sole purpose..." of assigning motorcycle officers along the procession route was to address what Cato calls "...the immediate public safety issue."  Many in Chief Brown's command staff were worried about possible accidents as the procession moved from the church to the cemetery in Pleasant Grove.  David Brown Junior was killed by Lancaster police in a Father's Day shootout in which he murdered a Lancaster policeman and a civilian.  The escort for Fridays' funeral has ignited a firestorm of criticism from Dallas police officers and from many in Lancaster who say the decision showed dis-respect to the officer and his family.