Chief Michael Bussiere: Dallas a reminder of the risks of law enforcement

LEWISTON — From his office here on his last day, Police Chief Michael Bussiere watched the horrific news unfold in Dallas: five officers dead, nine people wounded by a sniper attack.

In a week, he’ll start a new job in a department that neighbors Dallas, sad but undeterred.

“Obviously, I’ve been in contact with some of the folks down there this morning just to see how things are going,” Bussiere said Friday. “It’s going to be a tough day. Despite this incident, I’m still looking forward to it. It’s not going to be the first week that I was imagining. My guess is we’ll probably be attending some funerals.”

Bussiere, who is taking a command position at the Richardson Police Department after 26 years on the Lewiston force, said the “incredibly horrible situation” was a reminder about the dangers law enforcement officers face every day.

Despite the family and friends reaching out Friday asking if he was sure about his decision, he said he was leaving with no reservations.

“Believe me, I’ve been getting a lot of calls and texts this morning as you can probably imagine,” he said.

“I think something like this can happen anywhere,” Bussiere continued. “I’m still looking forward to the job and the adventure. Obviously, this casts a little bit of a shadow on that, but I know what the dangers are, and I know that the dangers are there no matter where you work. It’s something you just get used to, I guess.”

He’ll leave for Texas this weekend. His first day at Richardson is July 18.

kskelton@sunjournal.com