Mower County Sheriff Terese Amazi sent this letter to Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton in response to his statements last week in regards to the Philando Castile police shooting in Falcon Heights. It is printed here with her permission.

I am Mower County Sheriff Terese Amazi. I am contacting you to let you know how deeply troubled I am regarding your comments made about the Philando Castile shooting death. To say that you did not think this incident would have taken place if the driver and passenger were white is irreprehensible and irresponsible.

Comments made by an elected official should be well thought out and take into account all facts before “damning” all peace officers. Comments should not be knee-jerk reactions to a tragedy based upon very limited information prior to a complete investigation. Your comments lumped all law enforcement officers into a racist grouping. This is false and inflammatory!

Due process must be afforded to all in this country. Peace officers are no exception. It appears you have forgotten that. As this investigation continues, I would implore you to withhold comments until it is completed.

Thank you!

Sheriff Terese Amazi,

Mower County