Hi, I've been a paramedic for fifteen years. I've worked alongside cops that whole time. There's a bit of variability, usually Sheriff's deputies really do want to help people and stop bad guys much more than metro PD. As a rule of thumb, though, the police are not your friend, ever.
Had someone pull a shotgun at a house party once. I called 911. They wanted to know which manufacturer of shotgun before they'd dispatch a car, and finally showed up 13 hours later.
Such an expansive feeling of freedom and protection! They truly are heros! Like a meatball sub.
ETA: if only they'd thought to call the cops at Uvalde.