Within the coming week, we are told, the grand jury will issue their findings concerning the case of the shooting death of Michael Brown by police officer Darren Wilson in Ferguson, Mo. They will either find the policeman legally culpable for that death or not. Some of the findings have been leaked to the consternation of Attorney General Eric Holder. They seem to favor the police officer’s version of events.
The police department is bracing for what could be an all out assault on the city if the officer is exonerated. Some of its citizens have apparently already decided officer Wilson is guilty regardless of the evidence. It’s no wonder they are in such an uproar. The entire area has been stoked to violence by the race-baiting so-called leaders of the black community. They came to Ferguson determined to fan the flames of racial hatred without regard to the aftermath. They will go back to their penthouses after the riots and look for new opportunities to cause trouble. Ferguson will be left in ruins at the hand of its own citizens. How does any of that make sense?
Consider this. How would you feel if you were the police officer who, in the performance of his duty, was forced to use deadly force? What if it turns out he was completely justified in his actions? Do you honestly think this mob, armed for a fight and armed with a complete disregard for truth, will just go home and resume their lives? Me neither.
Another scenario which causes me considerable distress is, what if the officer was justified and yet for the sake of expediency, he’s thrown to the wolves? What if the officialdom of the city decides it would rather sacrifice one police officer than face another riot? What then?
If that happens I hope every police officer in the state of Missouri turns in his badge and lets the state deal with their considerable crime problem without them.
Police officers don’t go looking for individuals they can execute. I have talked with officers who, in the performance of their duty, had to use deadly force. For the most part, they are people just like you and I, and they feel the pain of taking a life the same way you or I would. Some take years to get over it. Some never do. Fortunately, most officers never have to unholster their weapons.
Individuals I have known who became police officers are people who believe in service to their fellow man. Back in the 60s when the “Hippie Era” was going strong, many of the so-called hippies referred to police officers as pigs. I remember a bumper sticker of that period which said, “If you think police officers are pigs, the next time you are in trouble, call a hippie.”
Like you, I don’t know all the facts in this case. But I believe in the system. I believe in the integrity of the grand jury. I believe in the fairness of our laws. If this police officer murdered this defendant without just cause, then I hope he’s dealt with legally. If, however, he’s exonerated by the jury, he should be given a medal for bravery. If the people of Ferguson want to continue to be victims, that’s their choice.
If Brown caused his own death by his actions, he was not a victim. He was a criminal. If you attack a police officer and try to take his weapon away, you should be prepared to die.
