President Trump paid his respects to the retired police captain who was shot and killed during protests in St. Louis last month.
Police say David Dorn, 77, was found dead on June 2 after he responded to a pawnshop security alarm during protests following George Floyd’s death. Dorn had spent more than three decades with the St. Louis Police Department before serving as the police chief in Moline Acres for five years.
The president said he was honored to host Dorn’s family and paid tribute to the former police captain during his 2020 Salute to America celebration on Saturday.
“We are joined by the outstanding law enforcement officers who have been able to fight on the front lines, protecting our cities — many of them facing down violent assaults from very bad people. We are especially moved to be joined by the family of a great man: fallen officer David Dorn, a 38-year veteran of the St. Louis Police Department who was killed last month in the city he devoted his life to defending,” Trump said.
“And to David’s great family, I want to thank you very much. The American people will always support the courageous men and women of law enforcement. And nobody — nobody — embodies that better than David. Thank you very much,” he added.
The president’s celebration featured music, fireworks, and military flyovers. An estimated 1,700 military service members participated in the event, including the aerial salute over cities that “played roles in the American Revolution,” such as Boston and Philadelphia.
David Dorn’s family is here on the South Law of WH and he’s getting a standing ovation. He was the St Louis police veteran killed defending his friends shop during the recent looting. #July4th2020 pic.twitter.com/Q6vGpkyH0d
— Carrie Sheffield (@carriesheffield) July 4, 2020
“And David is looking down right now, and he is so proud of you, and he loves you so much. And thank you for being here. He’s a great man. He’s a great man,” Trump said.
Law enforcement officials have charged two men in connection with Dorn’s death. Stephan Cannon, 24, was charged with first-degree murder, first-degree robbery, first-degree burglary, and three counts of armed criminal action, as well as being a felon in possession of a firearm, in June. Mark Jackson, 22, was later charged with second-degree murder, armed criminal action, robbery, and burglary.
