Obama condemns Iowa police shootings as 'shameful acts of violence'

President Obama condemned the fatal shooting of two police officers in Des Moines, Iowa, as "shameful acts of violence," according to a White House statement released Wednesday evening.

"Sergeant Anthony Beminio and Officer Justin Martin represented our best, most decent instincts as human beings – to serve our neighbors, to put ourselves in harm's way for someone else. They knew the dangers of their job. They knew the risks. Yet they chose to dedicate themselves to those values anyway. So today, Michelle and I join Americans across our country in expressing our condolences and stand in solidarity with their grieving families, fellow officers, and the communities they served so honorably.

"All across the country, our police officers go to work each day not knowing whether they'll come home at night. Their families live each day with the same fears. So as Americans, we owe them our respect and gratitude for their efforts to safeguard our families and our communities," Obama said.

The president also called for a renewed sense of unity as Americans, to come together rather than be divided.

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