Dallas sniper shootings: Dallas grieves for hero police officers

Tributes have been paid to the five police officers who were shot dead by a lone gunmen at a protest in Dallas. Senior Corporal Lorne Ahrens, Michael Krol, Sergeant Michael Smith, Police Officer Patrick Zamarripa, and Police Officer Brent Thompson, of the Dallas Area Rapid Transit Police Department lost their lives in the line of duty on 7 July after Micah Johnson opened fire at the Black Lives Matter rally in a targeted attack.

Seven more officers were injured. The tragedy has been called the deadliest day for police officers since 9/11.

As the people of Dallas come to terms with the tragedy, memorials and vigils have been held across the city. People gathered at Thanks-Giving Square in Dallas, Texas, to hold a faith vigil which was attended by Dallas Police Chief David Brown.

A makeshift memorial has been constructed outside the Dallas Police Headquarters where two police cars are adorned with flowers and messages in honour of the officers.

Police recruits attending their graduation ceremony at LAPD Headquarters wore black ribbons across their badges as a mark of respect.

Social media is flooded with tributes to the police officers, from their grieving families and friends and from fellow officers from police forces across the US. Meanwhile, celebrities unite to call for an end to the violence.

President Barack Obama has ordered U.S. flags to be flown at half-staff at the White House and public facilities throughout the U.S until sunset, July 12, 2016.

Speaking at a NATO meeting in Warsaw, Poland President Obama said: "The entire city of Dallas is grieving. Police across America, which is a tight-knit family, feels this loss to their core. And we're grieving with them."