Police share fears of the job after Riverdale officer death

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The death of a Riverdale Police officer has local law enforcement sharing their fears about routine calls on patrols, as multiple other officers have been gunned down around the country in less than a week.

"It definitely affects the police officers. It's definitely affecting their families," said Major Brandon Gurley of Brookhaven Police.

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In the past six days, six officers nationwide have been shot and killed in the line of duty, according to Law Officer Magazine.

"Families are watching the news. They're hearing the chatter. They're hearing the chance," Gurley said.

Brookhaven officers will now receive additional training to handle ambush attacks, and ask officers to never loiter alone in parking lots as they perform tasks such as writing officer reports.

The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund said 42 officers were killed by gunfire in 2015.  Many were from traffic stops or ambush attacks.

Dr. Cedric Alexander of DeKalb County Public Safety, speaking to FOX 5 on the phone from a law enforcement conference, said there are more illegal guns are on the nation's streets, and more criminals who are not afraid to shoot.

"We all are reminding each other across the country, to be very thoughtful about what we do. Step back if we need to," Alexander said.