The weekend murder of New Orleans Police officer Everett Briscoe in Houston had local leaders saddened and angry.
Briscoe was off duty on a Texas trip with friends from the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club when he became the victim of an armed robbery, then was shot dead.
The father and husband was remembered fondly during a media briefing at NOPD headquarters Sunday.
Some of the most powerful reaction came from New Orleans Councilman Jay Banks.
He was friends with Briscoe, his wife and two sons.
“I’ve known Everett for a very long time... Everett was a gem. He was a jewel."
The councilman says they go back to before Briscoe and his wife, Terrell, married.
"He loved his community, and he did everything that he could to help make it better."
Banks said Briscoe was a really good one.
He chairs the New Orleans City Council Criminal Justice Committee.
"This cancer of senseless violence has to stop, and I hear all of this people talk about they’ve got a cure for crime, and they know how to stop crime... Well, tell me."
Banks says no other family should have to go through this.
"Nobody else should have to stand at one of these podiums and talk about this. We keep doing this... I’m about tired of doing this."
He says he tried to comfort Briscoe's family.
"I was at the house last night. Nick started his senior year. Terrell is asking me, ‘Who is going to teach him how to tie his tie? There was no answer, because the only answer she wanted to hear is that Everett is going to walk through the door; but he’s not."
Banks says there has to be an answer to stopping violent crime.
"Collectively, maybe we can figure it out, but this has to stop."
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