SAN ANTONIO – While speaking at Officer Miguel Moreno's funeral Friday, San Antonio Police Chief William McManus was, once again, not pulling punches.
"To those who have disdain for, or would advocate violence against, police officers, I have a message for you," McManus said. "There will never be a legitimate reason that would justify such a warped point of view."
The remark came during a speech filled with talk about the difficulties of policing. Speaking with reporters after the funeral service, McManus said, "After years of police officers being gunned down and ambushed and ridiculed, it's time to say something."
"A lot of folks try to be politically correct about it," he said. "I'm tired of being politically correct about this issue because it's putting our police officers in danger."
Officers Miguel Moreno and Julio Cavazos were on directed patrol June 29, looking for and trying to prevent car burglaries, when they saw two suspects walking in the 200 block of West Evergreen Street.
As the officers exited the patrol car to contact the suspects, one of them, Andrew Bice, pulled out a revolver and shot both officers.
Moreno died from his injuries the next morning. Cavazos has since left the hospital. The shooting came less than eight months after Detective Benjamin Marconi was shot and killed while conducting a traffic stop.
Since the shooting of Moreno and Cavazos, McManus has expressed his frustration and anger. On Saturday, he told a crowd at a Coffee with the Cops event that he was sick of "police haters."
"We protect them. We defend them, and they give us a big 'F-you.' And I'm sick of it," McManus said.
In a similar vein, Gov. Greg Abbott said during his remarks at Moreno's funeral that it was time to end the attacks on law enforcement officers and for Texans to "unite in support of those who risk their lives to keep our communities safe."
"Respect for our law enforcement officers must be restored in our nation," Abbott said. "No more will we tolerate disrespect for those who serve."
Calling it a day of "sad and perplexing irony," Abbott also noted Moreno’s funeral fell on the first anniversary of a deadly shooting in Dallas that claimed the lives of five law enforcement officers.
He said he had planned to spend the day in Dallas, holding a signing ceremony to make July 7 Fallen Law Enforcement Officer Day in Texas.
--------------------------------------------------------
Don't miss a thing. Get email alerts from KSAT 12 today.
Get alerted to news events as they happen or sign up for a scheduled news headline email that is delivered right to your inbox. Breaking news, severe weather, daily forecasts, entertainment news, all of the day’s important events to keep you up to date wherever you are.
Sign up today. It's Free.