Despite a 300 percent surge in the shooting deaths of police this year, President Obama has done little to signal his regret, leading law enforcement to charge that he is condoning the slayings.

"He has a microphone in his face almost every moment he's awake, and has unprecedented access to the media. He could certainly take a moment to acknowledge these events and give us the same support he provides those that attack and kill us," Carroll County, Md., Sheriff James T. DeWees told Secrets.



Since DeWees wrote an open letter to Obama on Facebook urging attention, 14 more police have been killed, six by gunfire, and the president has still hasn't addressed the issue, prompting the sheriff to add: "I also speak for thousands of police officers throughout the country that feel the White House has forgotten about them; a White House that remains silent about the uptick in deaths which ultimately gives them the perception that it's condoned; and for them perception is reality!"

Dane County, Wis., Sheriff David J. Mahoney, said, "Our nation has lost its soul and that is why we struggle, and why leaders in government who define individual special interests are rising to the top of national politics in both parties."

A new national leader with the right vision is called for, he said.

"It is time that someone step forward to lead our nation and our communities who can help find our collective soul, to bring our communities and nation together in a united mission and to protect and honor those who would stand in defense of our American ideals of freedom, democracy and equality for all, and those charged with the grassroots defense of these ideals are our law enforcement officers, police, deputies, troopers and agents in every community all across our country," he said.

Her Daddy's Life Matters pic.twitter.com/nnyRyr3iji — Blue Alert (@BlueAlertUs) March 6, 2016

Despite the president's silence over the 26 police deaths this year, the administration has reached out to police groups for help in responding. But in every case, the White House has ignored the recommendations.

For example, the White House was urged to follow the practice of past administrations to have the president sign a letter of condolence to the families of killed police. It hasn't. It was also suggested that the president extend a recent Florida fundraising trip to attend a police funeral in Louisiana. He didn't.

Obama also didn't acknowledge the Feb. 27 slaying of a Prince William County, Va., officer Ashley Marie Guindon, 28. She was killed on her first day on the street just 28 minutes from the White House.

For many police, it hasn't gone unnoticed that the president is quick to speak out on those killed by police, often rallying anti-police groups.

"The president's underlying political philosophy is to keep supporters and advocates working against something, and not for something, and that is what is so distressing to law enforcement," said Jonathan F. Thompson, executive director of the National Sheriffs' Association.

Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner's "Washington Secrets" columnist, can be contacted at pbedard@washingtonexaminer.com