BUTLER TOWNSHIP, Pa. — In the wake of an attempted assassination on former President Donald Trump, Butler Township, a small rural community in Pennsylvania, has found itself at the center of controversy and criticism. A deluge of hate mail and angry phone calls have accused local officers of failing to protect the former president. Addressing these accusations directly, Butler Township Manager Tom Knights firmly stated, "They couldn't be more wrong," in an interview on Tuesday.

Despite the presence of numerous local, state, and federal law enforcement officers at the event, Knights emphasized that it was four Butler Township officers, initially assigned to traffic duty, who responded with remarkable bravery. These officers immediately sprang into action, abandoning their posts to confront the gunman. One officer even clung to the roof where the assailant was positioned. "Our officers acted instinctively, did their job, and followed the training that they had," Knights told NBC News.

The harrowing incident occurred when Thomas Crooks, a 20-year-old gunman, opened fire shortly after Trump began his speech. The attack resulted in injuries to the former president's ear, the death of one individual in the crowd, and injuries to two others. This close call has sparked intense criticism of the Secret Service from law enforcement experts and political figures across the spectrum. The incident has also triggered a wave of blame-shifting among various law enforcement agencies regarding who was responsible for securing the building that the gunman utilized.

The Secret Service has pointed fingers at local authorities, although it has not named specific agencies. Knights, however, maintains that Butler Township officers did everything within their power to stop Crooks. The Butler Township Police Department, comprising 12 full-time patrol officers, played a crucial role during the Trump rally held at the Butler Farm Show, an outdoor venue. The officers were initially assigned to manage traffic but immediately reacted to a radio call about a suspicious individual on the roof of a nearby building.

According to Knights, the officers converged on the building, which is owned by a glass research company. Due to their close proximity, they were unable to see anyone above. "Two of the officers went to what appeared to be the lowest point from ground to roof," Knights explained. "One officer boosted the second officer high enough for him to grab hold of the roof."

"When he was able to pull his head up over the roof, he did, in fact, see an individual on the roof with a weapon," Knights continued. The gunman then pointed his rifle at the officer, who was precariously hanging from the roof's edge. The officer quickly ducked his head, lost his grip, and fell approximately eight feet to the ground. Both officers immediately used their radios to report the presence of an armed individual on the roof. Knights could not specify how long after this the shooter began firing at Trump.

The building the shooter ascended was less than 150 yards away from the stage where Trump was speaking. Knights mentioned that this building had been identified as a "point of interest" in two security meetings before the rally. "That was something they were going to be vigilant in planning for," he noted.

However, Knights could not confirm which agency was tasked with guarding the building. Various agencies were called upon to provide security for the event. The Secret Service has stated that it was responsible for securing the inner perimeter, while the building fell within the outer perimeter, thus local authorities were expected to protect it. "There was local police in that building," Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle said in an interview with ABC News on Monday night. "There was local police in the area that were responsible for the outer perimeter of the building." Cheatle did not specify which local agency she was referring to.

Knights expressed his anticipation for a comprehensive investigation to shed light on the incident. "The investigation will put a lot of light on how the entire event happened, how the entire situation happened," Knights said. "And I would caution people not to make snap judgments or rash decisions until such time as that investigation is completed."

The Butler Township Police Department remains steadfast in defending its officers' actions and awaits the findings of the investigation to provide clarity and accountability for the events that transpired. The department continues to support its officers, who acted courageously under intense pressure, and hopes the investigation will vindicate their efforts and commitment to public safety.