Ferguson Perspective from a Cop's Wife
I'm frustrated. I've watched the news and heard all the reports...the rants...the chants...the demonstrations. Perhaps it's time to hear the perspective of a cop's wife on the situation in Ferguson.
My husband is a cop. It was his dream from the time he was a little boy until the day he pinned the badge on. He wanted to help people....to serve his community.
He went through the schooling he needed; trained to survive on the streets and keep the peace, took an oath to uphold the law, then slid behind the wheel of a patrol car. I'm sure the adrenaline rush was extreme. He was official, but the dream of saving the world quickly lost its gleam, and not because of his lack of heart, but because of the world's.
Over the past week, I have heard nothing but hatred towards cops - whining and complaining about these poor citizens being victimized by these brutal police officers. Let me just ask you to step into the shoes of these men and women who lay their lives down on the line every day to protect you, and see the other side of the coin for a moment.
Stop and think what it's like to work an 80+ hour week every week, getting little sleep, meals on the run (if any at all), fleeting moments with family, missing holidays, birthdays, graduations, family picnics and other special moments with the ones they love, only to deal with thugs and drugs, drunks and carnage, never seeing the positive...never enjoying the happy side of life.
Imagine for one moment how it feels to be spit on, flipped off, cursed out, beaten, shot at, run over, belittled all for doing a job. A JOB.
Do we ever stop to consider the fact that countless numbers of law enforcement officers have lost their lives in the line of duty....WILLINGLY....leaving behind wives, husbands, daughters, sons, grandchildren, mothers, fathers, sisters, in order that they bring order and peace, protection and security back to my home and yours, our neighborhood or city? By the way, the answer is 64 so far this year....27 of those by gunfire.
Have we counted the miles they've walked in the heat, in the rain, in the snow, in the storm, through the glass, the blood, the filth, the carnage, in order to help find a lost child, comfort an accident victim, help pull a person from a burning home, protect an office worker hunkered down behind their desk, or locate an Alzheimer's patient who's wandered away from their residence?
What about when they are off duty? Do we realize that they are never really "off"? Their eyes are always scanning, minds always analyzing, bodies always ready to spring into action to help those in need, secure a scene, or take down a threat to others. Whether we've thought of it or not, this takes a toll on their minds, their bodies and their psyche. They age quicker than anyone else. Stress becomes their constant companion.
And what about their sleep? Let me assure you that it is fleeting. When others are nicely snug in their beds, these officers are working the streets....their bodies tired and emotions drained. When at home, sleep eludes them. Nightmares and demons haunt their dreams. They're restless and tense. For those working the midnight shift, resting in the daytime requires a certain game to be played. Hanging sheets or dark "black out" curtains over windows; wives and children tip-toeing around in order to keep a semblance of quiet.
Then there's the media. God love them! It seems as if their goal in life is to drain the last bit of life blood out of these officer's souls. They expose them, draw attention to them, display them in an unfair light, call them out by name and expose every last ounce of dignity they might have had, all to bring ratings up and land that winning story or notable headline. They forget that these public servants are real human beings with feelings and emotion. With families and loved ones. With goals and hobbies. These men and women are doing a job....a job they once dreamt of doing and doing well, only to be villainized as the bad guy.
Then there is us. The spouses. The wives and husbands who know the true person behind the badge. We know their fears. We've heard their concerns. We understand their frailties. We've even witnessed the tears. We, too, hurt. We are targeted by uninformed, immature, spiritually darkened individuals who cannot grasp the difference between RoboCop and reality. We are family. We are moms and dads who want what everyone else wants....a future, happiness, joy, meaningful relationships. We are not the enemy.
Finally, what all this chaos and unrest boils down to is sin. There is no such thing as a black or white issue, male or female issue, rich or poor issue, what it reveals is the condition of the heart. Jeremiah 17:9 reminds us that "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?" People in general bristle at the thought of authority. Just as a little child will rebel against his or her parents who tell him or her "no," that degenerative spirit acts out in defiance against any semblance of order, rule, or power greater than our own.
In truth...the hatred we see is not with the person behind the badge, but the authority he or she represents. The person, however, becomes the target of a much bigger loathing. In the City of Ferguson's case, one extremely sad incident has spurned a whole city of anger and set off a chain of irrational behavior, and the great divide between law and chaos has increased even wider.
With that said, I have chosen to and will continue to be an encouragement for our men and women in blue. This day and age there are not too many who support them and offer hope; not too many who cheer in their corner. Fleeting are those who come to their aid and rescue, but many are those who come with noose in hand.
To those who do respect our officers and try and understand their role in this world....you are appreciated more than you know. May God bless you and may you never need their services. May you be kept in perfect peace and security and be richly blessed. "Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted..." Proverbs 11:11a
To those who lash out against and spill their venom and hatred using the media as their platform...may God somehow penetrate that hardened heart and misguided mindset. Remember these simple words, "A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control." Proverbs 29:11
To all the politicians who love to throw their weight around and speculate or comment on situations such as this...your uninformed words do nothing but harm. "When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise." Proverbs 10:19
To our media...find integrity and stick to it. "Buy the truth and do not sell it; get wisdom, discipline and understanding." Proverbs 23:23
To all our officers working the streets...stand courageous! You are appreciated and recognized for the good you do accomplish, and the hurdles you overcome. May God spread His garment of protection and peace around you and fan the flames of hope within.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." Matthew 5:9
Blessings,
Kristi
My husband is a cop. It was his dream from the time he was a little boy until the day he pinned the badge on. He wanted to help people....to serve his community.
He went through the schooling he needed; trained to survive on the streets and keep the peace, took an oath to uphold the law, then slid behind the wheel of a patrol car. I'm sure the adrenaline rush was extreme. He was official, but the dream of saving the world quickly lost its gleam, and not because of his lack of heart, but because of the world's.
Over the past week, I have heard nothing but hatred towards cops - whining and complaining about these poor citizens being victimized by these brutal police officers. Let me just ask you to step into the shoes of these men and women who lay their lives down on the line every day to protect you, and see the other side of the coin for a moment.
Stop and think what it's like to work an 80+ hour week every week, getting little sleep, meals on the run (if any at all), fleeting moments with family, missing holidays, birthdays, graduations, family picnics and other special moments with the ones they love, only to deal with thugs and drugs, drunks and carnage, never seeing the positive...never enjoying the happy side of life.
Imagine for one moment how it feels to be spit on, flipped off, cursed out, beaten, shot at, run over, belittled all for doing a job. A JOB.
Do we ever stop to consider the fact that countless numbers of law enforcement officers have lost their lives in the line of duty....WILLINGLY....leaving behind wives, husbands, daughters, sons, grandchildren, mothers, fathers, sisters, in order that they bring order and peace, protection and security back to my home and yours, our neighborhood or city? By the way, the answer is 64 so far this year....27 of those by gunfire.
Have we counted the miles they've walked in the heat, in the rain, in the snow, in the storm, through the glass, the blood, the filth, the carnage, in order to help find a lost child, comfort an accident victim, help pull a person from a burning home, protect an office worker hunkered down behind their desk, or locate an Alzheimer's patient who's wandered away from their residence?
What about when they are off duty? Do we realize that they are never really "off"? Their eyes are always scanning, minds always analyzing, bodies always ready to spring into action to help those in need, secure a scene, or take down a threat to others. Whether we've thought of it or not, this takes a toll on their minds, their bodies and their psyche. They age quicker than anyone else. Stress becomes their constant companion.
And what about their sleep? Let me assure you that it is fleeting. When others are nicely snug in their beds, these officers are working the streets....their bodies tired and emotions drained. When at home, sleep eludes them. Nightmares and demons haunt their dreams. They're restless and tense. For those working the midnight shift, resting in the daytime requires a certain game to be played. Hanging sheets or dark "black out" curtains over windows; wives and children tip-toeing around in order to keep a semblance of quiet.
Then there's the media. God love them! It seems as if their goal in life is to drain the last bit of life blood out of these officer's souls. They expose them, draw attention to them, display them in an unfair light, call them out by name and expose every last ounce of dignity they might have had, all to bring ratings up and land that winning story or notable headline. They forget that these public servants are real human beings with feelings and emotion. With families and loved ones. With goals and hobbies. These men and women are doing a job....a job they once dreamt of doing and doing well, only to be villainized as the bad guy.
Then there is us. The spouses. The wives and husbands who know the true person behind the badge. We know their fears. We've heard their concerns. We understand their frailties. We've even witnessed the tears. We, too, hurt. We are targeted by uninformed, immature, spiritually darkened individuals who cannot grasp the difference between RoboCop and reality. We are family. We are moms and dads who want what everyone else wants....a future, happiness, joy, meaningful relationships. We are not the enemy.
Finally, what all this chaos and unrest boils down to is sin. There is no such thing as a black or white issue, male or female issue, rich or poor issue, what it reveals is the condition of the heart. Jeremiah 17:9 reminds us that "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?" People in general bristle at the thought of authority. Just as a little child will rebel against his or her parents who tell him or her "no," that degenerative spirit acts out in defiance against any semblance of order, rule, or power greater than our own.
In truth...the hatred we see is not with the person behind the badge, but the authority he or she represents. The person, however, becomes the target of a much bigger loathing. In the City of Ferguson's case, one extremely sad incident has spurned a whole city of anger and set off a chain of irrational behavior, and the great divide between law and chaos has increased even wider.
With that said, I have chosen to and will continue to be an encouragement for our men and women in blue. This day and age there are not too many who support them and offer hope; not too many who cheer in their corner. Fleeting are those who come to their aid and rescue, but many are those who come with noose in hand.
To those who do respect our officers and try and understand their role in this world....you are appreciated more than you know. May God bless you and may you never need their services. May you be kept in perfect peace and security and be richly blessed. "Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted..." Proverbs 11:11a
To those who lash out against and spill their venom and hatred using the media as their platform...may God somehow penetrate that hardened heart and misguided mindset. Remember these simple words, "A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control." Proverbs 29:11
To all the politicians who love to throw their weight around and speculate or comment on situations such as this...your uninformed words do nothing but harm. "When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise." Proverbs 10:19
To our media...find integrity and stick to it. "Buy the truth and do not sell it; get wisdom, discipline and understanding." Proverbs 23:23
To all our officers working the streets...stand courageous! You are appreciated and recognized for the good you do accomplish, and the hurdles you overcome. May God spread His garment of protection and peace around you and fan the flames of hope within.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." Matthew 5:9
Blessings,
Kristi
Thank you for writing this. All I can say is AMEN. It sickens me to see how quickly the media vilifies officers and perpetuates anger towards them.
ReplyDeleteHey Dot...I'm glad that it resonated with you in some way. If you are like me, I'm just tired of it all. Done. Finished. It's time to stand up and be a voice of truth. Sooo...march on sister. :)
DeleteThe media should be embarrassed and ashamed of themselves for the awful light in which they are portraying our law enforcement officers. It is completely disgusting! God Bless our blue line.
DeleteOther way around. The law enforcement officers should be embarrassed and ashamed for how they are handling this situation.
DeleteWow. That was amazing..... and so true. Others do not think about what goes into the life of a police officer. Its always easy to play the blame game and to find someone at fault. Instead of embracing the family who just lost a child, others blame officers who would have easily put their life in danger to protect that same child if need be. Thank you for taking the time to express your thoughts. I support anyone who holds a badge and can only imagine how difficult things are for them right now. My BF is a deputy sheriff and is also from the Ferguson area and has friends who are assisting with the situations in Ferguson. They are all in our thoughts and prayers on a daily basis. We know their families and kids and just pray they make it home safe everyday!!!
DeleteYes there are some good cops but not all cops are good they chose this job and some are blatantly abusing their power nothing more than bullies with a badge what about the parents that saw their child laid out shot dead uncovered in the middle of the street like a animal I guess that's not important though cops must over the law just like the citizens unfortunately a lot of them have the mindset that are above the law
DeleteAmen
DeleteThey do this job because they believe in making your community a better place they sure as hell don't do it for any glory or pay. They don't get any power out of it at all. If anything they get judge harsher and are held to a higher standard. Not one of these officers make near enough money to put they life on the line. And until any of you know all the facts about what happend then really you should not talk. The facts of the case have not even been released. Do you honestly think this cop got up Saturday morning and said maybe I'll shoot someone today. So sick of all the negative bull.
DeleteThanks for all the responses. We are all entitled to our opinions and thoughts, but unless we were there at the scene, at the moment of the shooting, we do not know all the facts. Let's be patient and wait it out. Truth will prevail. Blessings.
DeleteThe entire first paragraph of this could be applied to anyone who works a difficult, unfair job, who at times struggles to get by. Say, 80% of the citizens in Ferguson.
DeleteMy brother is a officer, and even he is appalled at how the Ferguson officers handled this.Truth be told you don't have all mighty power just because you wear a badge.
DeleteI totally understand, and not all cops are jerks. But lately it seems like too many of them are out of hand. I, a law abiding citizen, as well as friends that are law-abiding, have had run ins for no reason with cops. I always thought they were there for me. But I had a road rage trucker who blocked me into a parking lot and tried to open my car door. I called the cops. The cops came out and said that he had called first so therefore I must have been the instigator. I finally figured out that this trucker had road rage so often that he learned to call the cops at the beginning of it to report the other party so that he could get away with it. The cops said that it was ok this guy blocked me in and didn't care that he tried to open my door. After that, I stopped contributing to the police association that I had contributed to for the past 6 yrs. Then I had another incident where a kid stole my car and wrecked it. The cops didn't care - called it a civil matter and refused to press charges. I had to contact the DA and get them to press charges. After that, I figured they were just about worthless to law abiding citizens. Then things started getting worse, and I heard about local cops harassing people for no reason. Numerous shootings, beatings, and even a mentally retarded man who was killed by a cop while crying for his father.....cops today are psycho. They weren't that way when I was growing up or even up until just about 5-10 yrs ago. Idk what is happening, but it is NOT ok. And as a cops wife, I know you see the other side of them, the personal side. And I know you say they see the worst of the worst - true. But somehow, cops in the old days didn't do the types of things cops of today are doing and they saw the worst of the worst too. They had honor, they had a code, and you didn't worry they were going to shoot you for no reason or because they had a bad day. These cops that you know personally - too bad they don't show normal traffic stops and law abiding citizens that side of them too. If they did, the country wouldn't be saying in unison that they are out of control.
DeleteAmen is right!
ReplyDeleteThanks. Keep praying.
DeleteI am glad to read this after all the hated I've seen spewed out towards our LEO's. Those who want them gone and vilified are also the ones who call for police help as soon as something goes wrong. God bless our men and women in blue, they do a job many think is "easy" but would never want to do themselves, and probably wouldn't be able to handle if they tried.
ReplyDeleteThere will always be hate. We just have to counter balance it with prayer and love.
DeleteGod bless our peace officers and their families. I salute them and their families for the sacrifices they make each and every day. Easy to spew hatred, hard to walk in another's shoe. The only way the job would be "easy" is if people were self-regulated and self-policing.
DeleteThank you for this, exactly what I needed, something POSITIVE!!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Keep the faith.
DeleteBless you for the wonderful writing ... I am from a police family ... an honorable profession ... I wish everyone would read your comments and think about them ... really think.
ReplyDeleteThanks. Keep all involved covered in prayer.
DeleteThank you Kristi for putting into words everything I have been feeling this week!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Keep praying.
DeleteGod Bless you! My husband is going up there for night number 5. He is exhausted. They have been shot at, there was a pipe bomb thrown, along w Malotov cocktails, bricks ect. They are shouting "kill the police" which is nothing new there. The news is most certainly not giving a fair representation of the events. And why would they? They want the division for their story. I feel sick over it. Thanks for your words.
ReplyDeleteWill be praying for his safe return. Eyes on God.
DeleteThank you!
ReplyDelete:) All God, sister.
DeleteAmen!
ReplyDelete~From a St. Louis police wife
Thank you so much for writing this. I have two brothers who are law enforcement officers. The Ferguson police and their spouses are in my prayers as are all the people in Ferguson. Its a sad situation that is being unfairly presented and twisted by the media for their own personal gain.
DeleteThank you all. Let's keep all involved in our thoughts and prayers.
DeleteThank you so much for these words! You have encapsulated all of my feelings exactly.
ReplyDelete~From a fellow police wife
Thank you! Chin up.
DeleteThank you for writing this. I hope that it can go beyond us as LEO spouses and have an effect on at least one civilian. Some of the comments made today in a national press conference from Martha's Vineyard made me sad and angry. Mr. President, I think you are in serious need of going on a ride-along, tonight in Ferguson.
ReplyDeleteBama is just another ignorant racist hypocrite too stupid to know what it's saying and possessing of no self awareness to know what's going on.
DeleteThanks for your response. Please continue to keep Ferguson community in your thoughts and prayers. A lot of hurt and bitterness out there.
DeleteThank you for your side.i do appreciate everything you & your spouse endure for his job. Remember though this is a JOB it is a choice he made knowing full well what it entailed. As you stated he went to school for this & was trained. His JOB was his choice, I'm not going to respect someone simply because they chose that job. I'm going to respect someone who does that job well. Someone who tries harder. I don't know what happened Saturday but I do know (based off the many police conferences they have aired) that the only reason Mike Brown was even stopped was over jaywalking...I cannot tell you anything more than that, but with that alone I can say that his death is on that officers hands. He had no legitimate reason to stop him. If you've ever in your life walked through a neighborhood you would know that Jay walking is not an offense most people are stopped for.
Deletethey made a choice
ReplyDeleteSo do the criminals that get shot and put in prison. So do welfare mothers who keep on having kids. What is your point? We all make decisions.
DeleteYes, they do make that choice & thank God for that. Would you be willing to make that same choice ?
DeleteThis is idiotic, by making those decisions (by yourself) you have no right to bitch about what that decision may entail at a later date. As for police, the choice you made is to protect and serve your people, regardless of the cost. If you cant handle it find a new job. Abuse of authority is far too prevalent in our society, and the sad part is its usually the ones who are supposed to protect, not endanger.
DeleteFor those of you blaming the police for all of this, are you justifying violence towards all police officers? Because that is what is happening. What if all the police decided they were getting out of their crazy, dangerous job tonight and no one showed up to protect the citizens of Ferguson and elsewhere. You are snug in your home expecting to be protected. What if you had to defend your home with help from no one. Pretty scary, huh! Thank you to anyone who chooses to wear that badge. I appreciate it!
DeleteI see that you have chosen to be anonymous. I presume that to mean you have no courage. Next time you need help, don't call a police officer since you have such disdain for them.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
DeleteTheir is so much wrong with this article. I feel guilty even saying this because I do support our law enforcement... but, just because they are police doesn't give them a right to brake the law. Not EVER. They knew exactly what they were getting into when they took the job. And, spouses do too. If not watch any movie. So sorry, but I'm not going to be sad for you that you work long hours. So do I. And.. sorry that you missed holidays and birthdays, but so do many other people. Just because you can quote the Bible, doesn't make you right.
DeleteThanks for your response. Could you please explain to me exactly what went down that evening? I was not personally there, nor did I know what the victim was doing or what the officer was doing or what either were thinking or why. And to answer your statement about what they were getting into...yes, they do know what they are getting into. It is a calling...check out Romans 13 which accurately explains how they are the authority instituted by God. That doesn't mean that there aren't officers out there who misuse their power, but regardless, they are the authority and we can clearly see how folks are rebelling against that. By the way, please don't feel sad for me. Wasn't looking for sympathy. Exactly how I stated it...folks can't decipher between RoboCop and reality. I will be praying for you and I hope you will be praying for me as well. We will just have to agree to disagree. Blessings.
DeleteThank you so much for your words of wisdom and hope for our men and women in blue. I truly wish people would hold the right ones responsible instead of always blaming las enforcement.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Keep praying for this community. A lot of hurt and bitterness.
DeleteIf the "good" cops would stand up and do something about the "bad" cops then the hatred toward them would go away. I know there are just a handful of bad cops but that is all it takes.
ReplyDeleteIf the "good" citizens would stand up and do something about the "bad" ones then you wouldn't need cops.
DeleteThat statement of good citizens do something about the bad is double edge sword, that's what the cops are for or shall we have citizens shooting each other feeling the other is bad. As far as her statement its true cops work long hours to serve and protect, unfortunately I know a cop that was fired from the force for illegal activity, I've seen news a cop get caught molesting a young girl that was doing ride along, etc. and I've seen judges take bribes. Not all are bad and there maybe more good then bad, but as any field of work their are those that aren't there for good reason, and there also is some that maybe there worn and tired and make bad choices as far as descretion goes. But just because they wear a badge should they be exempt from paying for their actions if they are wrong, I have seen news of mother stealing desperate to feed their child and they still go to jail for example, why because law says you just can't do that. He was jay walking and was killed for it because her husband was tired and working long hours should not hold up in court. However, I was not there so what truly happen only God knows cause everyone else has their own story, but what I do know is you can not tell me every police officer is there for good intentions and would never do nothing to hurt somebody criminal or not there is a constitution for reasons.
DeleteThis was the best come back ever!
DeleteThe 3:06 comment is the best by the way!
DeleteAnonymous from 3:35, you should check your grammar.
DeleteOh for goodness sake, get over the grammer and listen to the message.The comment saounds as if it came from a 10 year old! Even if the "good cops" stood up and got rid of the "bad" cops, they would still be hated. People hate authority.
Delete...only to deal with thugs and drugs, drunks and carnage, never seeing the positive...never enjoying the happy side of life...
ReplyDeleteExactly why I left the job. I was a jaded, cynical individual convinced there were no good people in my town. That job cost me two marriages before I finally got my head on right. Staying in church and living life in community with believers is the only way to make it.
So true. Thanks for your response! Stay the course, friend.
DeleteBeyond words. Thank you so much for writing this. God Bless you and your family!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Please continue to pray for this hurting community.
DeleteThank you for putting into words what we believe. God bless you!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Keep praying.
DeleteAmen!! Beautifully written and well said
ReplyDelete- From NC Wife of a Deputy
Thank you! God bless.
DeleteIt's simple really, don't shoot at unarmed kids and try to arrest media members for no reason and cover up this story, and we won't hate the police force of Ferguson.
ReplyDeleteYES!
DeleteWere you there? Because unless you were you can't say for sure what happened. The reporters refused to leave, they were in the midst of the crowd that were throwing molotov cocktails and bricks. Fox 2 has the video. And now there are reports that Some of the reporters LIED! Huh....go figure. All in the name.of getting ratings. Also, like she said, its a JOB! They do what their superiors tell them to. whether they agree or.not it.is not like they can just walk off the job. You are villifying ALL for the actions of ONE and for the others who are doing the JOB they were TOLD to do.
DeleteIt is simple to those who are of simple mind. No one has any idea what happened that night. If all of you "police" experts spent a week on the streets you would see exactly how complicated your communities really are. Everything is simple inside your little bubble and behind your keyboard. Put on the uniform and stand the watch then tell me how "simple" it is when you are being assaulted and have to make a life and death decision in less time than most people can even imagine.
DeleteFor the good cops who truly goes out and protect and serve in correct way without prejudice we take our hats off to but for the ones that goes out and murder innocent people we should charge them the same way we charge those who goes out and break the law. A badge doesn't give them the right to kill innocent people. If you can't handle the pressure and stress of your job find a new profession.
ReplyDeleteNo Michael, you're right. A badge doesn't give anyone the right to kill innocent people. Let me know when a court says that an innocent person was killed and I'll jump on your side. What the badge does do is it gives the officer the opportunity to be tried twice for the same event. A normal citizen is protected from this double jeopardy, but not a peace officer. They get a state charge for the crime, and then a federal charge for being a cop.So, It would seem that the police are held to a much higher standard than the idiots breaking windows and stealing candy bars.
DeleteUmmm.. Don't you think they SHOULD be held to a higher standard???
DeleteIt's their job to walk around with a gun & uphold the law. I dearly hope & pray that they ARE held to a higher standard!!
Ask Eric Gardner how things are going for him...
Deletehttp://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/nyc-crime/nypd-chokehold-staten-island-man-eric-garner-stripped-shield-gun-article-1.1873033
Anonymous @ 1:33:Did you really just equate shooting an unarmed person with breaking windows and stealing candy bars? Whatever.
DeleteThe subtext of some of these comments are a) there is a decision already made that the unarmed young man who was shot and killed was one of those "bad people" that needed to get taken care of by the "good people." and b) that there is no space in our country for critique of those in power - even when they do things like kill an unarmed person in front of several witnesses.
What new facts can emerge that will make this a "clean kill?" What happened to innocent until proven guilty? You are saying the killed person is guilty until the court tells you they were innocent? And let's suppose he was guilty of something - anything - jaywalking? drug possession? killing someone the day before? Is this American police protocol? To shoot someone multiple times in the middle of the street with their hands up? I thought you are supposed to subdue and arrest suspects. Guess I have it wrong. I thought police were only supposed to shoot to kill in very specific scenarios. This isn't adding up. The denial that a human being was killed unjustly is mind-boggling.
Thanks for your response, however, as I am responding over and over and over, unless you or I were there...unless you or I were the officer and we could know for sure what exactly transpired, what the victim was doing, what the officer was doing...until the truth comes out, people can argue until the cows come home, but we really don't have all the facts. We need to wait and be patient. And, I would encourage folks to pray for the police officer in question, for the department and for the family that lost their son. All are in a world of mess and hurt.
DeleteThey chose the job. We didn't choose it for them. Bullies with a badge get NO free pass!
ReplyDeleteSo I suppose you are one of the ones out acting like a fool every night. Well I guess we could say we don't want people to put their lives on the line any more for people who will never appreciate them, so no more police. I guess it is anarchy you want. These wonderful men and women keep the peace. I know some of them are hot dogs and these officers, just like the officer in Ferguson will be dealt with through the court system. Just because they chose to serve and protect YOU doesn't mean THEY should be bullied.
DeleteAnonymous 1:34, we all "choose" our jobs. "They" are the very same people you reach for when it's your life on the line. Bullies? Hardly. Authoritative? Absolutely. There's a big difference between the two. Dare say, I hope the next time you need assistance in a time of crisis there is someone who "chose" the job to answer your plea for help. I wish technology would catch up and tag people like you so that my husband may not lose his life saving people like you. That would be a tragedy - for him, not you. You "chose" whatever situation you find yourself in. Where's the opt-out of 911 services? You can be the first to sign up.
DeleteI am also a cop's wife, I totally understand the stress, sacrifice and struggles he has endured over the years, we also have been on the other side where he was off duty and harassed and racially profiled by an officer in another municipality until he identified himself as an officer also. I don't feel all police officers are bad, or racist, or abuse their positions, there are alot out here that do. I've witnessed it and so has the many african american police officers within my family including my husband.
DeleteAmen Stephanie ! Well Said !
DeleteWhy is it that police officers are the only profession that other people feel the need to judge? People always feel it could be done better, but they've never attempted it themselves. I don't see stories in the media that a chemist didn't do his experiment correctly, that he didn't get the right results. Or that a plumber couldn't fix the toilet on the first try. No one follows along on these other jobs and tells them when they do wrong, that they're hated.
DeleteYes, they're in the public eye, and yes, they chose it. But they don't choose for men to beat their wives, for children to run away, for the guy on the corner to sell drugs, or for incessant violence. Why shouldn't they have a right to protect themselves when they're protecting their community??
My husband is an officer in one of the most violent cities in the country, and he's a Damn good officer. Why shouldn't he make every attempt to come home at night? Is that what the people of Ferguson want? For another family to lose a husband or father? Will that make things even?
Sadly, their are bullies in every profession, school, church and street corner. Again my response is that unless you were there, were witness to what happened, or were the officer in question, then you and I truly do not have all the facts. I will be praying for the people of Ferguson and all those who have unrest in their souls. Blessings.
DeleteVery well said!!! Thank you for writing this!!
ReplyDelete~~From a Dispatcher that cares deeply about all of her officers, and realize what they go through on the job, and how jaded and cynical people can make you.
Thank you for your service! God bless.
DeleteYou dispatchers are the glue that perfectly seams the department. As a LEO wife, I know if there's an emergency my husband is in great hands. Thank you for your service!
DeleteThis goes for our men and women who are first-responders, fire fighters, military members and their families. I am a wife of a fire fighter and I can’t tell you the number of meals, family gatherings, holidays, etc. that my husband has missed just to do his job.
ReplyDeleteYep. I understand that life as well. My husband was a firefighter before he was a cop. Prayers for you. :)
DeleteYou can't push a pregnant woman to the ground because "your job is hard". You can't impede civil rights because you think black people are scary. You can't shoot canisters of tear gas into people's private property because they tell you to go home. And you certainly can't arrest reporters because they might catch you doing these things. Maybe this is a time for people like us, white middle class women, to check our privilege and really listen.
ReplyDeleteAmen to THAT!
DeleteYou can't throw bricks and bottles of gas at your neighbor so why can you throw them at a police officer? If I paid taxes in Ferguson I would be ticked off at the Governor right now. I guess the violence and looting of Sunday wasn't enough for him. Know this, when the violence starts people will EXPECT these officers to risk their lives to regain control.
Delete"Check our privilege." What kind of privilege do you get that the rest of us don't? Oh....that's the progressive excuse for why minorities can't or won't succeed. Way to promote a "victim" mentality that will keep the people you want to help exactly where they are in life.
DeleteI'm sorry that you are so angry and bitter. You must have had a bad experience, but that doesn't mean that every cop does these things. Not every reporter reports bad news, but somehow we often lump them all together as "bad." Not every doctor practices bad medicine, but when one does, does that make them all bad? Cops are in authority because the nature of their job and because they've been given that authority by God ultimately (Romans 13), by the Federal Government, by the State in which you live and by your local department. So more than ever, because they are human and are in this position, they need our prayers and encouragement. Thanks for your input.
DeleteAs a wife of an officer, and a professional in the legal field, I am conflicted in times such as these. I too feel extremely passionate about my civil rights. Last night's reaction by the police had my blood boiling. My husband and I get into heated debates about this fine line. His argument is we do not understand the context of the situation. Yes, there are officers, such as you describe, who completely violate civil rights. You and I both know that's is the exception. Millions of police runs are performed everyday. How many stories of civil right violations do we confirm happened? Single digits. I'm right there along side my husband performing his duties as he is ethically bound. When an officer crosses that boundary, I'm the first (after confirmation via investigation) to line up and protest for atonement. The town of Ferguson (and those who were reporting) lost their civil rights last night. There is no doubt about it. I'm not concluding anything about the actions of the officer and Mr. Brown until the evidence is presented. I wish my fellow Americans would do the same.
DeleteMaybe your husband doesn't, but a majority of law enforcement believe they are above the law because of the sacrifices they make, that they signed up for. Cops every day are involved with horrific crimes that would most definitely lead to prison-time for an average civilian, but because they're part of the force the most they get is their badge taken 90% of the time. Accountability is key for everyone, not just some people.
DeleteYES YES YES. Thanks you anonymous 1:41.
DeleteI am disheartened so many of you stereotype. As the idiom goes, one bad apple spoils the bunch.
DeleteEach and every time a person group's a bunch of individuals together and claim they are "bad" you are reinforcing ignorance and spreading hate. This goes back since the beginning of time. Have we not learned from the mistakes made in the past how evil stereotyping is?
Please, share with me your occupations. I would love to knock out anonymity and have an honest conversation. But that might lead to knowledge which would suppress stereotyping. Can't have that can we?
So all the abuse and excessive and unnecessary use of force DOCUMENTED on film and photography is just our imagination? Truth is, policeman is a person with 6 months of education, a gun and the ability to ruin or take your life for no reason. We all know how abusive they are, from the assassin that kills for no reason to the abusive road cop who ruins your driving record just to fill a quota. ABUSIVE!!! THATS WHAT THEY ARE. I'm tired of reading they are heroes. Most of them are ignorant hicks with minimal education and too much authority. They need accountability. MAKE THEM ACCOUNTABLE !!!!
ReplyDeleteThe quota comments never get old...yeah my husband is trying to win that toaster this month...it's comical to me to hear this all the time. We haven't had a raise in over 7yrs, the insurance keeps going up these officers work a full-time and several part-times to take care of their families. Please go through what they go through before running your mouth. You sound so ridiculous. Also, if someone is to trying to get my husband's gun or do anything else to him I pray he shoots. I want him home every night. #ratherbejudgedby12 #thancarriedby6
DeleteWhere do you get off saying "ignorant hicks with minimal education and too much authority?" ...I'll have you know my father is a police officer with his masters degree and is smarter than most people I have ever met. He did not choose to be a police officer because he was uneducated or couldn't find a better position - he wanted to help people.
DeleteHe puts his life in danger EVERY DAY to keep you safe. So please remember that these "ignorant hicks" have families that love and care for them very much and we do not appreciate all of the negativity.
Are there some "bad" cops? Yes. Just like there are bad people in the world. To categorize all of them into one group is not fair. That's prejudice. It's wrong.
My father is a HERO - along with many other officers I know. My dad has saved many people's lives - I've seen it first hand. Do you know what it's like to have to worry that every time my dad put on his uniform, I may never see him again? Do you know what's it's like to turn on the news and hear how much hatred is directed towards them? Everyone hates them so much...until they need something and then they're the first ones you call. You don't care when they get shot, paralyzed or killed by gang members. Where's the outrage then? How about the young New Jersey police officer who showed up at a burglary call, only to be executed immediately. What did he do to deserve that? Because some guy "wanted to be famous?"
I am embarrassed for the city of St. Louis. I can only hope and pray that people start having a little more respect for each other.
I am assuming based on your rant that you might be the one with minimal education.
DeleteI'm sorry that you are so angry and bitter. The sad thing is that a criminal can have a doctorate degree or an 8th grade education. Their bullets are just as real as the "hick cop with limited education." Blessings.
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DeleteFor all the good cops out there, why dont they call out and rid forces fron all the bad ones. Can't truly serve and protect when you know evil and abuse of power is "on your team". I challenge the good ones to expose the bad ones.
ReplyDeleteSo, why not challenge the "good" citizens to call out the bad ones and stop them from doing things that make police work necessary?
DeleteYou make a valid point on "calling out the bad cops." However, it's not the cops that can prosecute or hold these people accountable, but our judicial system. And again it all boils down to the choices you or I or cops or citizens make every day. My prayer is that we can start making some good ones. Blessings.
DeleteThey cant prosecute but they can certainly bring it to light rather than hide it under the rug because its a "brother". This in my opinion is just flat out wrong, and happens all too often.
DeleteThank you Kristi!!! I am a LEO wife here in Colorado. Your story is just beautiful and says exactly how I feel!! Thank you sooo much for writing this and sticking up for our LEO'S !!!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you! We just need to be in much prayer over this situation and others like it. Blessings!
DeleteAs a civilian, I am so thankful for the selfless acts of our law enforcement. Please know that the majority of us are so very grateful for all that you do!!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Your comment made me smile. :)
Delete> Let me just ask you to step into the shoes of these men and women who lay their lives down on the line every day to protect you, and see the other side of the coin for a moment.
ReplyDeleteYou do realize that there are many far dangerous jobs out there (based on number of on the job deaths) than being a police officer. There are no legal protections nor immunity by default for those people.
I, nor anyone I know have 'hatred' towards police. Nearly everyone I know has a strong (and growing) distrust of the police. WE are not the ones treating the cops like an enemy. The continuous militarization (in terms of equipment and training) will not ever improve that. Our cops are being trained as soldiers and are treating the public as the enemy.
If you want the general attitude of the public towards police officers to improve, I would suggest you encourage your husband to treat the public as he would a fellow officer. His life is NOT more important to the world than everyone else's. His job is to protect that public. It's not like a member of the public (typically) initiates the interaction with an officer before an officer involved shooting.
And the thought of what is going on in Ferguson is the result of a single incident is laughable. You can only make that claim if you're trying to spin the story around or are terribly ignorant. And you don't sound very ignorant.
A cop can quit his job but members of the public can't stop a cop from shooting him. Of course are a ton of good cops. Probably most of them. If they protect others that are not as trustworthy as they are (bad cops), then they are just as guilty. When a member of the public does that there are usually charges pressed against them.
I understand the suffering you must be going through as the wife of a police officer. Thing is that's also a choice you made. He has the option. Of quitting his job and you have the option of leaving him. A dead citizen doesn't have either of those choices.
As long as the police continue to cover up the actions of the bad seeds instead of addressing them you will never have a trusting public.
Thank you for your response. I will try to answer each point you brought up. First, there are a number of dangerous jobs out there...you're right. I just happened to be married to a cop, so law enforcement if my passion. :) Second, unfortunately there are many who do hate the police. There are a ton of sites on FB alone that are all about hating cops, killing cops, etc. So, yes, people do hate the police. I'm glad that you don't. Third, as far as militarizing, let me ask you this...Would you agree that when a major riot breaks out with objects being thrown, guns being shot, etc., in order to protect themselves and keep the peace, they have to armor up? If they are dead, they're no help to anyone, correct? As far as my husband, I have never ever heard a single person say he wasn't kind, courteous, respectful, highly respected, etc. to those/by those he is dealing with. That's just his nature, so there's nothing I can say to him on that regard. Fourth, people do initiate problems. That's why the police are called in. Someone does something "bad" and the person or persons who has been harmed in whatever way, calls the police to respond, unless they just happen to personally see someone doing something they're not supposed to do while patrolling (patrolling the streets is part of the job description). Fifth, officers can't just "quit" their jobs. There are bills to pay, mouths to feed, clothes to buy, etc. It's just like everyone else...they have to make a living somehow and that's what they've been called to do. Sixth, I would never divorce....don't believe in it....nor does God. I would just encourage you to pray for these officers and their actions/reactions to the situations they come across. It's definitely not an easy task, and I'm sure they would appreciate the prayers. Blessings.
DeleteThe continued militarization of the police is a result of none other than society itself! Domestic abuse, gang wars... these things have made it necessary. Society is not allowed to discipline their children anymore or it is abuse--- who created this? We as a society? Technology...video games... children are left to amuse themselves however they choose! Gone are the days of true family and what it really means. No more family dinners; no more family game nights; parents are not devoting the time or discipline that children need and therefore things have gotten out of control. An ever increasing number of people are becoming violent and aggressive and you think that an LEO should not protect themselves? Sure they made a choice to protect and serve and they knew that there was a certain risk but if they have to worry about pulling someone over and being shot during a simple traffic stop then why should they not be equipped? The comment in the post that says " a dead citizen doesn't have either of those choices" is ridiculous... An LEO took and oath to protect, serve, and uphold the law--- not DIE.
DeleteThe cops mean a lot in the society, but remember that out of every twelve there must be a Judas. Unfortunately those are the ones making headlines. when last did you see a good deal been talked about countless time on media?
ReplyDeleteThanks for your response. I agree that there are "bad" cops just as there are bad teachers, doctors, congressman, etc. Right now, all we can do is pray that the truth will come forth. Blessings to you.
DeleteWhat about black family that dream about there son being successful and not selling drug being in gang hanging with bad ppl but graduate and go off to college. Not being gunned down in the street by a xop cause of racial profiling
ReplyDeleteThank you for your response. I know there are a lot of great black families out there who want their children to succeed and receive equal treatment. However, unless you or I were there on the scene at the time of the incident, we do not truly understand what transpired. We only hear what the media gives us. We need to be in much prayer and be patient in waiting for the ultimate outcome. Blessings to you.
DeleteAs a troopers wife I thank you. I myself worked in law enforcement for too many years. My husband has a bachelor's degree, many years training, and lots of experience. There are bad cops out there, just like there are bad teachers, doctors, lawyers, and every other profession. If this police officer was wrong he will get his day in court. There are always two sides to the story, I have seen my husband struggle and go out of his way to help people, he's been shot at while trying to protect black citizens, he has sat and cried when his efforts were not successful. Does anyone appreciate the effort of good officers? No. They are spit on and called pigs until they need their services again. When they walk by people threaten their children with them, teaching fear and hatred at a young age. If it were up to me I would put a fence around Ferguson and pull the police out. Let those who are so anti law enforcement riot on, they are destroying their own community.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your response, and I definitely understand your frustrations. All we can do is pray for all involved and ask that truth be revealed. Chin up. Blessings.
DeletePeople don't decide to be cops because it's easy. It's not easy. It's really really hard. And yes, it's dangerous. It comes with the job. It doesn't mean you can trample on the rights of other people. It certainly doesn't mean you can kill people without good reason. A lack of respect for authority is not the problem. CORRUPT authority is the problem. And people of any faith cannot sit idly by while this authority is being abused. Should we allow sex abusers to remain in the Catholic church because we need to respect their authority? Should we have allowed Hitler or Mussolini to continue on with their agendas because they were authority figures? Should we not impeach corrupt presidents? There are good police out there - and they're the ones that don't let the daily grind get to them. They see people - not "thugs." THEY are doing God's work. Saying the job is hard and becoming dead to God's people because of the daily grind is a pretty pathetic argument.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your response. I agree that there are "corrupt" authority figures out there, and even "bad" cops. I can't say, however, nor can you, unless you were there on the scene at the moment it happened, what exactly transpired, what the officer was thinking/feeling, and what the victim was saying/doing. We do owe it to the all parties to not jump to conclusion, nor buy into the media that always tends to slant one way. I would challenge you to continue to pray for everyone involved that the truth will be revealed. Blessings.
DeleteFor what its worth the "innocent" man who was killed already had charges pending for armed robbery. I doubt his families "dream" of him going to college and being a productive citizen would have came true.
ReplyDeleteYes, charges pending = should be shoot down in the street from behind! That is how the system should work!
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DeleteI am sorry. This was all brought on by the actions of the police who are never held accountable for their actions. I am sitting here watching this unfold in Ferguson hoping that this might bring about a much needed change. We need police who are smarter, better trained, not so quick to shoot first, beat up citizens, choke them to death. Everyday there is a different story of these horrendous actions performed by the men and woman in blue. I used to believe you when you said - don't break the law , they got what they deserved because they broke the law. Then I experienced the wrath of an over-zealous policeman. We are a law abiding family, now my children cry and run away because of a thug in blue. I don't believe you anymore when you say they are good people, trying to do the job as best they can. CRAP!!! ALL CRAP!!! If that was the case more of them would stand up when they saw one of there own doing wrong. It is always covered up. Here is an idea- hate your job? QUIT!! Don't take it out on citizens. Kids don't deserve to die. And he was a kid- had his whole life ahead of him! He did not deserve to die!!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry you have so much anger and bitterness. It sounds like you definitely had a bad experience, but one bad person doesn't make them all bad. As far as the "actions of the police," until you have been at the scene, in their shoes, and know all the facts, then you or I cannot make a judgement on what should or should not have been done. I pray you find some sense of peace in your present situation.
DeleteI agree with you, my son is starting college, has never had a record, never went to party's nor had bad grades, however the other night he was with his friend at the park and I had to tell him if a cop go around cause they often do at that park cause they gas up right there do what ever he says do not say anything but yes sir no sir keep hands out of pocket don't even reach for phone and be still because I don't want them having any reason to shoot you and call it self defense. Normal i feel my children know this being i have 2 older boys but just to ease myself i felt i need to remind my middle of this.That's a shame as a mother you start fearing for your child of cops just as much as a criminal. We weren't trained to pick out the bad cops from the good as they are supposed to be for criminals so its scary as a mother/citizen.
DeletePerfectly said with all the right words. Thank you for taking the time to write this! God bless you!
ReplyDelete~From a police wife
Thank you! Keep your chin up! :)
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ReplyDeleteKristi - Thank you so much for posting this! I think it is hard for people to understand what it's like for us!
ReplyDeleteThank you!! I know that in the long run, this post will probably not change things, but at least maybe someone's eyes will be opened. One can only hope.
DeleteThis was beautifully written! Thank you for writing. I will keep supporting and encouraging my LEO.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Keep praying!
DeleteBoth sides are equally to blame, one there treating that area like a war zone. Residents I know the anger but destroy your own town that's stupid. Cops go through a lot I was in those shoes but there are some that make it look bad for all. Till details come in both sides need to figure a peaceful solution. For record EMS and Fire get assaulted more than police.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate you bringing that out. Yes, EMS and Fire personnel are experiencing a rough time as well. They all need our prayers.
DeleteI am the wife of a retired police officer and a mother of a police officer. I thank you for your time and words. What is going on in Ferguson saddens me. I pray no one else gets hurt during these events. I am thankful that every policeman does not "quit" their job, or this world would truly become a scary place to live in. One day in these brave men and women's shoes would change a lot of people's view. I pray for their continued safety, as well as the people of Ferguson.
ReplyDeleteIt is very sad and a situation that needs lots of prayers. We have to do our part to encourage those who are in this profession. Tell your family members we appreciate their years of service.
DeleteThank you! My husband is out there in Ferguson. He's trying to work. People treat him terribly and hate him because of his profession. I'm so sick about this.
ReplyDeleteYou should tell him to stop throwing tear gas at journalists...
DeletePerhaps if journalists weren't in the way and causing part of the problem, there would be no tear gas. :) Blessings.
DeleteChin up. God is still in control. Hold fast to your faith.
DeleteIf "God" were in control, do you think that she would allow this to be happening?
DeleteAs a PROUD sister, daughter-n-law, sister-n-law and cousin of police officers (all of whom work in this are) and also a citizen of St. Louis myself...I THANK YOU! I actually cried while reading this just now and more than likely will do the same thing while reading it again later tonight when my husband goes out to work in the area. You see I NOW live for the constant news updates so I can compare the street names and amount of violence to where he/they are at at that the present moment. So may say that is silly and I should just turn it off (they do make law enforcement look bad and in my option make things worse) but until you have a phone sitting by your side that you do not know if it will ring again with the name/number of the one you love or the sound of their voice through the speaker or if you and your children will ever see them again (especially their daddy/the name I love) them you would not understand. I pray that you don't have to go through this torture because it is a personal hell that no one deserves. I pray for peace and calm. I understand people are hurting, a death is always tragic especially at such a young age and in such a sudden manner. At the same time violence is never the answer! It only shadows the tragedy and flares more hate. Please keep all of the men, women and children in your prayers that are having to suffer through this tragic and fearful time no matter where they are living but especially here. Thank You
ReplyDeleteThanks for your response and a BIG thank you to all the law enforcement in your family. There's nothing silly about trying to keep up with your loved ones via media. It is definitely nerve wracking every time we send one out on the streets that are so hostile towards our officers. I will definitely be in prayer for everyone involved in this situation, and all the officers and families out there in every community across our nation. God bless.
DeleteThank you! I have shed so many tears and have felt alone in this battle. I have never feared before worried yes total fear no. My heart aches and cries out to all our family in blue. It feels like everyone has turned their back on them. I have called on close friends to pray but nothing helps with the piece of my heart that they rioters, news media, protetsters, goveners and others have taken away. It was refreshing to hear an article in support. I wish just once they could watch their spouse put on Kelver and a gun to walk out the door to a job they were called to do, as you pray that after the shift they will walk through the front door and thank God that they do as you hug them one more time.
ReplyDeleteI totally get it. Just remember, fear does not come from the Lord, but comes from the enemy who "prowls around seeking someone to devour." Keep your faith in the One who can protect and shield and trust in your husband's intuition, training and back up. Chin up, sister.
DeleteIf they stopped attacking the media (literally), the media might stop attacking them (figuratively).
DeleteWhat if I am a cop, and an atheist?
DeleteVery well written. Thank you to all the police officers and first responders who risk their lives to help us and protect our families. God bless you and your family.
ReplyDeleteKristi,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your eloquence and encouraging words! Your post brought me to tears. All that you've written is so true, and unfortunately only the families of LEO's and first responders will know and empathize with these feelings. I pray that you will not be affected by the negativity and comments of those who cannot comprehend the uncertainty and anxiety that comes with this position.
When it seems like the only people who are on your side are your families (the police family being so important!), it is imperative that we count on each other for support and encouragement. Those people who express such negative, demeaning sentiments toward police officers and their families will probably never know just how deep those words can cut, although we try our hardest to tune it out.
Again, I appreciate your post that so very much contradicts everything that the majority and the media believe or portray our spouses to be. I thank God that my husband is coming home to me after six straight days and over 70 hours on those chaotic streets.
Signed, the wife of a Christian, family-centered, and brave St. Louis County Police Officer
I am so glad we're two states away. As a wife of LEO, I cannot imagine the pain you must be experiencing. Your family, children, and friends are all suffering too. We sat down with our children today to discuss the events surrounding Ferguson. Confusion and anger seemed to dominate their responses. They cannot understand how America rushes to judgment. They cannot understand the actions of last night - after all, if the police do not enforce basic human rights how can we trust them with anything else. Patience is the key. Let the truth be exposed, the consequences felt, and the healing to begin.
DeleteGod Bless you and your family.
Sorry, not human rights - civil rights. Two completely different things.
DeleteVery well said, I am not a copper, and none of my true family is. My extended family is different. I have many close friends that are cops, and I support that thin blue line 100%.
ReplyDeleteYes, support them blindly, regardless of what they are doing. If they have a badge, they can do no wrong. That will end well...
DeleteYes, speak your mind blindly, regardless of your ignorance. If it has the ability to speak, it can surely do no wrong. That will end well.
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ReplyDeleteWith police, just like any other group of people, the vast minority of "bad guys" make the really good ones look bad. In this instance, I don't find fault with the individual officers, but in the tactics their superiors chose to order them to take. The VAST majority of cops in this country are indeed "Our Nation's Finest". Don't let the actions of a few numb-skulls taint your view of the entire group.
ReplyDeleteIf you've ever been unfortunate enough to be in an automobile accident, who's the FIRST person there to ask if you're OK and to summon additional help if needed? Yup. The good guys. The good people.
A few bad apples really spoils the bunch. It's true. One has to see themselves as an individual not as the collective. In essence an individual with morals and integrity and not as the collective that is on display. While her empathy plea citing the horrors and drawbacks of the job and how hard it really is loses the appeal because just like everyone else they take that job by choice not chance. Surgeons work 36 hours straight with blood and guts all while dealing with deaths and missed holidays. The nurses and teachers get bashed left and right while dealing with a whole different set of horse poo. She's right in one way... It's a job! If ALL of that in that job isn't worth it, then find another job! Citing that to make people empathize is like buying a 3 million dollar home and complaining about the mortgage and maintenance. Fact of the matter is, Nobody wants to be lumped in to any negatively perceived group or the "crooked cops" when they in fact do their job with integrity but it happens. You can't control other peoples minds. There are good and bad to every profession but lumped into the bad association the good need to come forth and show by action not words. You can't justify tear gas from a peaceful protest. They weren't tearing up a city. Have you watched live stream feed or your assumptions?!?
ReplyDeleteUmm the media was to close to the action and needed rescuing. the cops were helping clear them out of the area to a safer spot to continue their cover. Instead of just regurgitation false stories and skewed facts why dont you actually wait for the truth.
ReplyDeleteI am also the wife of a LEO. I posted something along these lines on my FB this morning, but on a much smaller scale. You expounded greatly on what I have been thinking and feeling over the last week. Thank you so much, Kristi and God bless you!
ReplyDeleteOne would be stupid to think ALL cops are "bad" and deserve ridicule and public crucifiction - the majority, as Kristi says, are out to protect and serve and maintain the peace-of-mind that many of us take for granted every day. This majority deserves our sincerest respect and thanks.
ReplyDeleteOne of the reasons they deserve our praise is because THEY made a choice many of us were not willing to make -- a choice that would subject them to physical and mental pressures, situations of distress, and dangers the average citizen will never encounter. I think if you ask an police officer -- they will all tell you that they know it's not an easy job, but they chose it anyway because they had a calling/a desire to help. For their conviction and selflessness, they receive training, are burdened to uphold the law, and have the ability to use fatal force (aka armed at all times while on duty) -- and for these "priveleges" (or burdens) -- they are held to a higher standard.
For this exact reason, job difficulty and pressures cannot be cited as THE MAIN reason to justify situations of police brutality and violence - similar to what happened in Ferguson. A cop can feel that the general public was in danger, he himself or a colleague was in danger, etc. to justify the use of force of any kind.
As it stands, the victim was not armed from what I gather, neither was the person he was with -- and was shot down. By no means does that paint the whole story, but it is enough to ask probing questions. As much as those that defend our policeman ask that people don't judge without having all the facts -- you should also consider yourself in the shoes of the mother that lost a child that was gunned down and was given no clear evidence that suggested this was called for.
What we should be asking for is a third party investigation to find out exactly what happened in this case, and in general, extremely severe penalties for the "bad" cops that tarnish the image of those we should be admiring -- so extreme, that it's not worth the risk to be "bad".
Thank you for sharing your perspective. I am a resident of Ferguson and have been absolutely devastated by the events and what it has done to our community. These are trying, scary times. I truly appreciate all the first responders for keeping me and my family safe. They are the only reason we are able to get any sleep at night. Also thanks to all the families, including yours, for your sacrifices. It is not an easy job, made worse by so much bashing and all the threats. Just know that I am so very thankful as are many in the community. Please tell your husband thank you, and also thank you to you and your family.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing. May God bless each and every Officer!!!
ReplyDeleteWith the new attitude of cops to treat us like we're in Afghanistan or the shoot first deny responsibility later don't expect us to write kind words to you or for that matter respect you. Cops need to wake up and realize that we're all citizens of this country instead of treating us like a second class population. It's sad that 20 years ago this wasn't the case and there were many good cops but today it's devolved into a "Us against them attitude"....I was taught if there was any trouble look for a cop, I now have to teach my son that unless it's a dire emergency avoid cops at all costs because you just might get shot or gang murdered like the young homeless man in California a year or so ago. It's your condescending authoritarian attitudes which has caused this problem so on behalf of the lowly serfs ...please adjust it
ReplyDeleteThank you for this inspiring post. I've shared it to my FB friends. You so eloquently said what is in my heart.
ReplyDeleteJanet
Beautiful and true. Thank u taking the time to write something positive and meaningful. :) my bf is a metro police officer and I have become accustomed to most of what u mentioned. The constant vigilance and alertness. The way he sits facing the door as to make sure no one comes up behind him. At first I didn't understand it but now I know it's a way of life for him now. I've had friends who decided to either stop talking to me or be very careful about what they say simply bc I'm with an LEO. I still don't understand the animosity over a profession and just the blind hatred of a uniform when there is a beating heart of an amazing man or woman beneath it. But anyway thank u very much for writing something positive and incredible :). I'm going to show it to my bf. I try to show my appreciation for him bc as u know it's very few that do so, sadly. :/
ReplyDeleteThank you from another police wife. It saddens me to see the hatred out there and I think it is clear throughout this the hatred that it out there for LE. If not, why not all the noise around the other individuals killed in that area - a grandmother, another black man from fighting with another man's girlfriend, a drive-by shooting...it doesn't trigger the same response yet their lives are just as important. It amazes me the number of people who are anti-LE and the lack of support they get when they put their lives on the line every.single.day. but yet when someone needs something from them it's fine. I will always say - you never know what you will do until you are in that situation. Officers have to make a split second decision in these situations - sometimes they are good. Sometimes they are bad. But we don't know what we would do if we were in that situation because we're not in it.
ReplyDeleteI get it, I recently got a lashing from a female friend, who is the wife of an officer. It is respectable that spouses stand behind their man (or woman) in uniform, and chances are your husband is a great officer; but I would argue your judgement of law enforcement as a whole in this country is very prejudice. No one, and I mean NO ONE can argue that police departments all across this nation have not been militarized. With the threat of terrorism at home maybe its not such a bad idea, but what is a bad idea is to use those tools meant to fight terror, against your own citizens. I guess when you get new toys, you want to play with them. I understand and respect that every officer puts his or her life in danger every single day they put on their badge. With that badge, comes a very high level of responsibility and it is not a license to operate above and beyond the law. Remember officers, not citizens, are highly trained to deal with just about any situation.
ReplyDeleteWell said !
ReplyDelete~from a Virginia police wife
Being a family member of a police officer that has actually been involved in a police shooting of a "good kid" who was armed, had drugs on him and in a stolen car that he used as a weapon to try to run my family member down. I have to say that it all comes down to the lack of respect that people have for each other. If the kid was walking down a sidewalk instead of the middle of the street disrespecting anyone who was trying to drive down the street. If he would have just got out of the street when asked by the police officer told him instead of bucking up and acting like a fool. Then just maybe the struggle wouldn't not of happened at all. Then this kid would still be alive his family would have seen him possibly make something out of himself. This police officer and his family would be dealing with all the emotional trama. It's a sad situation that could of easily been avoided. Just by a little word called respect.
ReplyDeleteKristi, another police wife here, and I not only agree with you, but I'm thankful you put this out there. Everyone should try and walk a mile in my husband's shoes every day he goes to work. Of course, the fact is they aren't equipped to handle what he does, day in and day out. They just don't consider that when they're spewing such hate. While every loss of life is tragic, if we didn't have our men and women in uniform on the streets, well, Ferguson is showing exactly what would happen. Thank you to all our LEOs out there.
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DeleteMy brother is a policeman. My favorite uncle is a policeman. We are all black and multiracial. What I hear from you is incredibly typical of someone who wants to share a side of something, and they have no idea what they're really talking about. Sure, there are good policemen and women out there to whom your hero/victim status pertains. But to compare and defend vile, dirty, racist cops who disrespect the badge with them... makes your point seem mute and like you've been under a rock of never been discriminated against. It's like lumping good apples together with the ones who are rotten, and saying they have the same quality and value.
ReplyDeleteYou should heed your last sentence. Instead of regurgitating what the police told you they were doing, maybe you should listen to the female Al Jazeera reporter that denied they were being helped and were ran off with teargas, which is obvious in the video. A state senator was also teargassed and tried confronting the police during the press conference today and they wouldn't give her answers either.
ReplyDeleteIt's always nice to read the words from another LEO wife. I have trouble listening to the news and reading the comments that the uneducated masses post online, simply for the fact that their ignorance about the issues makes me so MAD! It always helps to ease my anger when I remember that there are others out there who feel the same way, regardless of how few the number may be.
ReplyDeleteI stand behind my officer, regardless of the situation. His badge protects my heart, therefore I do my best to protect his badge. I have nothing but the greatest respect for those who walk that thin blue line, and who have made the choice to put their lives on the line to protect those in their community. Yes, there are "bad cops" who abuse their authority and who don't deserve to wear that uniform, but those are truly few and far between. The majority of officers are the best citizens that society has to offer. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for putting into words what so many of us struggle to say.
From one LEO wife to another, take care, and tell your husband I said thank you.
U call yourself a Christian but not one time did u say anything about the young man that lost his life u are just like all the rest nobody really cares until it hits home as for u sticking up for your spouse I respect that but all cops are not good cops plus people walk around every day acting like we live in a world of no raceism from some of the comments its plain to see that a black life means nothing but u say you are a Christian
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DeleteThank you for your husbands service and your personal sacrifice!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThere are still many citizens that respect the rule of law and apply common sense when in the presence of officers!!!!
Thank you for reminding me that the Lord does not in still fear and that Satan has a stronghold. God's will, will be done and no matter the outcome He will carry me and my family through. He also sends us what we need and I am grateful that your blog was sent to me today He knew exactly what I needed at the right time. I pray for you and your ministry and that you and your husband will touch many lives.
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ReplyDelete"That kid was no angel, I'm sure" So all it takes is for someone to think you are not an angel and your killing in the streets is automatically justified in your eyes. This is a painful America to live in. Certain lives have zero worth. And based on the rest of your comments, it's clear you truly despise black people. Given this is a Christian blog, I don't think your type of "support" is what the author had in mind.
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DeleteWar is hell on the homefront, God only knows what a woman goes through. God bless you and may he keep your husband and family safe.
ReplyDeleteThank you for writing this. As a granddaughter, daughter and wife of LEOs the generalization saddens and sickens me. Just today I was told that police wives have a "holier than thou" attitude by one of those anti-cop individuals. My grandfather lost his life protecting them. The father was beat up multiple times. And now I watch my husband put on his Kevlar same as my father and grandfather before him and fear that people like the man that spoke to me today won't let him come home to in the morning. So again, thank you for posting what all others seem to forget.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Means the world to me you would appreciate what we do and speak your kind words.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for putting into words what I have been struggling with for days. My husband is a LEO who did take a bullet in the line of duty from a kid who said he had been previously beaten by the police. My husband told him if he got out of the car quietly there would be no problem but he exited the car drawing a weapon hidden under the car seat, shooting my husband twice. He returned to work as soon as he was medically released and has never looked back. He loves what he does and loves helping people. He is also currently serving in the military and has been deployed multiple times to Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Middle East. I'm sure that will get comments about the "militarization" of our police force but I would much rather my husband respond to a mob in full body gear with as much equipment as he needs to protect himself than to stand out in the open exposed to molotov cocktails, rocks, firecrackers, and any other firepower the crowd brings. Bottom line is, I want him to come home - whatever it takes. Blessings to you and all of the other LEOs and their families, especially those currently on the front line in Ferguson MO.
ReplyDeleteWhy is it that police officers are the only profession that other people feel the need to judge? People always feel it could be done better, but they've never attempted it themselves. I don't see stories in the media that a chemist didn't do his experiment correctly, that he didn't get the right results. Or that a plumber couldn't fix the toilet on the first try. No one follows along on these other jobs and tells them when they do wrong, that they're hated.
ReplyDeleteYes, they're in the public eye, and yes, they chose it. But they don't choose for men to beat their wives, for children to run away, for the guy on the corner to sell drugs, or for incessant violence. Why shouldn't they have a right to protect themselves when they're protecting their community??
My husband is an officer in one of the most violent cities in the country, and he's a Damn good officer. Why shouldn't he make every attempt to come home at night? Is that what the people of Ferguson want? For another family to lose a husband or father? Will that make things even?
It is my greatest fear that a uniformed officer will show up at my door one night...what's even worse is that no one will care.
I feel as though you knew exactly what I was thinking and wrote it. Thank You. I have shared this on FB. I appreciate you.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Keep praying for this hurting community.
DeleteThank you for writing this- it has been on my heart too. I am the child of a Police Officer
ReplyDeleteBless your heart. You totally understand, then. I'll be praying for you and I hope you will do the same for me. :)
DeleteWhat you wrote was a beautiful tribute. I have to say "WOW" to some of these horrible and hateful comments. A young man died, it is a shame. One choice brought him to his death...it is unfortunate...I do not see color here, a life is a life in my eyes. Was it necessary to take his life? We were not there. The officer who in my opinion felt threatened enough to pull the trigger would not have had to make the decision if a crime had not brought him to that brief moment where he had to make the choice to react the way he did. There is absolutely no excuse for the looting and damages. We do not even have all of the facts. One quick question for all of the looters...If it had been a white man shot that day, would you have been as angered? Before you call me racist..I am a black woman.
ReplyDeleteBless you, sister! Thank you for your response. All I know is that we need some serious prayer going on. There's a lot of hate and bitterness - two things that will never bring healing.
DeleteA kid was executed in the street by a police officer. That's why these people are pissed off at the police. We get that it is a tough job, but if it is so tough, that you snap and murder a kid in the street, then being a police officer is not the job for you.
ReplyDeleteAnd if cops are truely working 80 hour weeks and missing all of these family events... that is a problem with that police departments policies. No one should have to work 80 hours a week, especially if you have a job like that of a police officer, where a bad day could cause you to snap and gun someone down because you couldn't hold back the rage.
Thanks for your response. Again, unless you or I were there that night and witnessed the whole thing, we are only hearing what the media is putting out there. We need to be patient and wait on the truth to be revealed. As far as the long hours....yep....it's wrong and hard and aggravating. If everyone would behave, there would be no need for cops or long hours. :) Blessings.
DeleteVery well written and spoken. May God Bless you and your family and may he bring peace to all involved in the Ferguson area. My heart is sad for all.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Joanna. Yes, please keep everyone in your prayers. It's a sad situation with a lot of hate and bitterness.
DeleteExcellent piece. Please send it to the newspapers, and other media. They need to hear the story.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Barb. Not sure they would want to hear this perspective. ;)
Delete“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." Matthew 5:9
ReplyDeleteGreat article... While the stress of the job goes without reward, and the media can turn on them in a second, but that is all professions. Teachers quickly come to mind, we can talk about people in the Army how one incident can impact all of them and they are giving up more then a cop is. However in this case something happened and a conflict has emerged. I do believe the world has great cops but like all professions the bad ones or a poor decision are/can be the ones that can make the headlines and impact public perception.
ReplyDeleteI do enjoy knowing that if i call they arrive..