When I was a school board member, I often thought the most underappreciated workers in America were teachers. Low pay, tremendous responsibility, impossible mandates, and constantly blamed for issues beyond their control. I have always had the utmost respect for teachers because by and large they LOVE their jobs despite all the difficulties, and they make our communities better by building young men and women into productive citizens.
Now, as a County Commissioner that collects tax and funds our Sheriff's Office locally--upon witnessing the current events around our nation--I worry that the new most underappreciated public employees in our country are Law Enforcement Officers.
Who will be our police and deputy sheriffs? Who will be willing to stand up to the toxic abuse these folks are enduring in our country today---just trying to do their jobs to keep us safe?
Who would step up to do this difficult job in this environment?
Second guessed, questioned, belittled and marginalized by segments of the citizenry--and not supported in many instances by the very governmental bodies that fund their operations.
It sickens me. It is disgusting.
And just for complete clarity--I'm not talking about cases where clearly there is misconduct, like what we all witnessed and what was universally condemned in Minneapolis...
Thank God that locally our officers directly engage the citizens and we have not witnessed the sorts of issues here that are happening other places. But could it happen here, could things take a turn for the worse?
I sure hope not.
Now I see what happened to the policeman in Atlanta yesterday. I took the time and I watched the entire nearly hour-long body-cam and dashcam video yesterday evening. The whole thing. I am no expert---but it sure seemed to me that both officers acted professionally and compassionately and treated this suspect with courtesy and respect.
When it was painfully obvious that the gentleman had failed the sobriety test--the suspect fought. Going for the officers' weapons, wrestling, throwing punches, and fleeing with an officer's weapon.
Fighting with the police in the street is not appropriate, not smart, and will never end well for anyone. Fight an issue in COURT--not in the streets.....
And when chased, the suspect reached back and fired the taser at the officer's face---at which point the suspect was shot.
A terrible tragedy that did not have to happen. But who caused this? What was that policeman supposed to do--I mean--did he know in that instant that it was a taser and not a gun? Why is he being persecuted and prosecuted for this---what did he do wrong exactly??
And today I wake up and read that the officer is being charged with FELONY MURDER for this!
Are you kidding me? Are you serious? This is RIDICULOUS!
This is an absolute TRAVESTY and it MUST be rectified immediately.
Otherwise--we may see something none of us is prepared for. Imagine if every Law Enforcement Officer in America "Called-In" sick. Just imagine that for a minute......It could happen--that is how egregious this disgusting political "stunt" is, this "prosecution." It could happen--and it would be ugly for many communities if it happened. I hope it doesn't and I don't think it will......
This is spiraling out of control and we have GOT to get it right sided quick.
Because again, the question is important: If we do not have the police's backs---who in their right mind will be our Law Enforcement Officers??
