I have not commented on this case, but have watched from afar. What I feel is sad, is that the Black Panthers and Rev Jackson and the like are typically the ones that incite discord and racial tensions. Can I just say that it is a terrible thing that a young man lost his life. But, I fear for the safety of our police officers as well. They have a very tough job to do. Often times, the riots and the public judgement of the police officer's conduct is quick and without all of the facts being laid out. We do have those "witness" accounts, but as one who has followed WS for years, witness accounts can be SO wrong SO often.
Here in Utah, last year (or maybe the year before), a young girl was shot and killed by police officers. She was white, the officer was white. It didn't make the national news. No big riots. No big scene. His claim was that he thought she was going to run him over with her car. He actually was eventually charged and found guilty in her death. The charges didn't come immediately. They also didn't come because of pressure from the press. They came about from the normal course of an investigation that took time.
Also here in Utah, just the other day, a young white boy was shot and killed by a white police officer. Once again, no press. No yelling or riots. Was it a tragedy? Absolutely! Does the family think it was unjustified? I am not certain yet, but I believe that they do based upon their claims that he was unarmed.
There is reverse racism in America all of the time unfortunately. Those that claim that they want equality are often the ones that create the divide. When during one of the past riots (I believe over Trayvon Martin) happened, and a very innocent elderly woman was killed by a black man during those riots; where was the outrage?! I was outraged!! Those kinds of acts, the looting, the violence - these never bring back the dead. They just cause more to be injured - unnecessarily! They do not bring about justice. They just continue the divide that shouldn't exist.
I believe that police officers make mistakes. After all, they are human. But, I also believe that they put their lives on the line every day for us - the public. I respect them and I appreciate their service. I hope that there are not mistakes made, but we are all human. How many police officers are killed in the line of duty every week? How many times are there protests and huge informational, nationwide incidents made out of these deaths?
I hope that justice will be served either way. My personal belief in this case is that the officer will eventually be cleared. It sounds to me like he was threatened, and the suspect was fleeing (at least initially). Deadly force is not something to be used lightly, but public safety is supposed to be the officer's first concern.
Stepping down now off of my soap box! Sorry for the long post!!
