Obama speaks at memorial for slain Dallas police officers

U.S. President Barack Obama is speaking today in Dallas, a city still reeling from the aftermath of a deadly shooting rampage that targeted police officers during a peaceful protest.

Obama is delivering his remarks at an interfaith memorial for the five officers slain in Dallas, where a sniper fired into a crowd of people protesting the recent police shootings of black men in the U.S. He will also meet with grieving law enforcement officials and the victims' families.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest said Obama recognizes that people across the U.S. join Dallas in grieving over the recent, troubling events.

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"The president is hoping to offer some measure of comfort," Earnest said.

Officers Brent Thompson, Patrick (Patricio) Zamarripa, Michael Krol, Lorne Ahrens and Michael Smith were all slain in the line of duty by an army veteran in what Obama denounced as a "vicious, calculated and despicable attack" by a "demented" individual. 

The attack ended when the alleged gunman, Micah Johnson, 25, was killed by a bomb delivered by a police robot. Johnson described the attack on the white officers as payback for the fatal police shootings of Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge, La., and Philandro Castile in suburban Minneapolis, according to authorities.

Portions of both shootings were recorded and broadcast nationwide, leading to outrage, protests and scores of arrests. The killings also put the country on edge, heightened racial tensions and pushed the issue of the use of deadly force against black males by white police officers to the forefront.

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Obama will seek to address those issues with his tribute to the five fallen officers, which include a former army ranger, a navy veteran and a newlywed.

Vice President Joe Biden is also at today's service, as well as former president George W. Bush and his wife, Laura.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott will not attend the memorial service. Abbott's office said Monday that the Republican will being undergoing skin grafts after suffering second- and third-degree burns on his feet and both legs below the knees. His wife, Cecilia Abbott, will take his place.

Obama will host a meeting with law enforcement officials, activists and civil rights leaders on Wednesday to discuss ways to repair "the bonds of trust" between communities and police.

Obama and Biden met Monday with police chiefs, sheriffs and rank-and-file officers to discuss adopting a series of reforms that were drafted by a White House task force on policing.

More than 1,000 people gathered in downtown Dallas to attend a candlelight vigil for the five police officers on Monday night.

During the emotional event, Dallas Area Rapid Transit Chief J.D. Spiller said the attacks won't tear the city apart. A DART officer was among those killed in Thursday's attack.

"We must have that discussion about race in America. We must lead the state of Texas on race relations in America. We must support our police officers in Texas. We must lead America in leading and protecting and supporting our police officers," Spiller said.