The murder rate has decreased in Selma and remained relatively low in Dallas County, but local law enforcement agencies won’t be satisfied until those numbers are zero.

Frederick Harris was gunned down Friday on Broad Street, marking the seventh and final murder in Selma for the year, according to Selma Police Chief William Riley.

Riley was pleased to see the number of homicides lower than the 12 murders reported last year, but he said even one is too many.

“A loved one is gone, and then another family’s life is destroyed because of a suspect,” Riley said. “We hate to see the loss of another human being through means like that. It’s just sad.”

Riley said the best way the Selma Police Department can help reduce the rate is become more visible in the community. He said people should learn and practice ways to solve their issues without violence as well.

“We’re not a police state, and we’re never going to become a police state,” Riley said. “These are personal responsibility issues, and people are going to have to be held responsible for the actions they take.”

Dallas County had three reported murders in 2014, which is an increase when compared to the lone murder reported last year, according to Sgt. Mike Granthum, with the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office.

A domestic dispute between two brothers lead to one of the Dallas County murders reported in 2014 and highlights the fact that domestic disputes continue to be a core issue in the area, Granthum said. It’s rare for the victim and murderer to not be familiar with one another prior to the incident, Granthum said.

“We often go in communities and try to talk to schools about domestic violence,” Granthum said. “But for some reason, domestic violence is always up.”

District Attorney Michael Jackson said one of the best methods to prevent murders is by focusing on eliminating gang life, since many murders in the area are gang related.

He suggested the community take the time to speak to young people and educate them about why it’s important to avoid gangs.

“The community is just going to have to get involved,” Jackson said. “We don’t need to just have the community get together after a murder. We need it to be an ongoing process.”