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by: KIRO 7 News Staff Updated: Jun 21, 2017 - 12:42 PM

In the wake of the Seattle police shooting that killed Charleena Lyles, the sheriff from Seattles neighboring county is offering some context into law enforcement tactics, but starts with a message.

Black lives do matter, said Pierce County Sheriff Paul Pastor. Black lives matter in a very important way.

About the case:

Pastor talked to KIRO Radios Ron and Don show about the Black Lives Matter movement and explained why Blue Lives Matter is not a response to the sentiment.

Blue lives matter to me, definitely, he said. I dont say that as a reply because it begs the issue. I think when people say Black Lives Matter what they are asking is Dont black lives matter? Individually? Dont black people in America matter?

They do, Pastor said. You know why? African-American people in America are a bellwether in how we are doing. We can chart how well America is doing by looking at the state of black America. Right now, we have to work harder on that. While black lives definitely matter, I dont think they matter enough in the white community or the black community.

>> Related: When is Seattle use of force authorized under law?

Pastor said that people have a misconception that every incident with police could have a positive outcome. People assume that some tragedies could be avoided if there was a mental health specialist present.

It is a nice tool to have if it is available, he said. We underinvest in mental health and just say, Just let the cops handle it. Let the cops respond. We dont want to finance treatment, hospitalization. The cops will handle it. That stinks. Its wrong. Its not fair. Thats what enhances the likelihood of damage in these encounters.

We lay this on the porch of law enforcement, Pastor said. We dont invest in doing something about it, and we wonder why we have these encounters.

After an early-June incident in whichLyles told police she wanted to morph into a wolf, Lyles was ordered by a Seattle Mental Health Court judge to not possess weapons. Read about that case here.

Lyleswas prescribed medication, her attorney told a Seattle Mental Health Court judge, but she had not taken it because she was pregnant.

A Seattle Police Department transcript shows that there were 11 commands to get back before shots were fired.

>> Related: Hear audio and watch dashcam video from day Lyles was shot

One officer said to use a Taser, a brand of stun gun, but neither officer had one.Sheriff Pastor told KIRO Radio that he is in favor of stun guns, but understands not all officers carry them.

Ive heard a number of agencies around the country withdrawing from using Tasers, he said. Some of that has been pressure by interest groups who think its cruel and unusual, or who think that it causes terrible damage.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

Transcripts show conversation before Charleena Lyles was shot: I don't have a taser'

Memorial grows where armed woman was shot by police; rallies planned

Seattle police shooting kills armed 30-year-old woman; read both sides here

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Pierce County Sheriff: 'Black lives matter in a very important way' - KIRO Seattle