He Killed A Police Officer

I spent yesterday in the court room with my fellow police wives and lots of men and women in blue.  We attended the sentencing hearing for a thug who shot one of our officers 7 times.  I posted in 2010 about the shooting here on this blog.  It was a hard thing to swallow then but it was even harder to sit in the court room yesterday and listen to both the officer give his victim impact statement and listen to the stupid boob tell the court "I ain't even did nothin'."

The defendant in this case is 26 years old now.  He claimed he was high on marijuana and ecstasy the day he decided to pull a .40 from the backseat on a traffic stop and unload all 15 rounds, 7 of which hit the officer.  He shot the officer and when the officer dove over the hood of his car and returned fire, the defendant continued to unload, even firing after the officer was incapacitated.  His other claim: "it was like a dream... I thought I was playing a video game."  Made me sick to listen to it.

However, after swallowing the anger and rage toward this goon, the officer got up and gave his statement.  I want to share since it is likely the most moving thing I have ever heard with my own two ears.  This is what the officer said:

"Before May 27, 2010, I did not know this man.  I had never met him and I had never dealt with him in my career before nor did I know him personally.  I don't know his past or what lead him to that day.  I'll never know why he chose to do what he did to me.  But now I'd like to tell you about me.  My father is a retired officer from my same department.  I remember him driving me to my little league game when I was seven years old.  He turned around and looked at me in the backseat and asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up.  I told him, "a police officer."  Dad said, "No way.  Anything but a police officer son."  I said, "Sorry dad but that's what I'm going to be.

As I grew, up I really looked up to my older brother who was a Marine.  I decided that being a Marine would make me a better policeman, so at 17 I enlisted.  I went to Iraq and fought in Fallujah.  I considered myself lucky that during my first six month tour I was uninjured.  I came home for a bit and then went back to Iraq.  During that tour I was hit by a grenade.  Again, I considered myself lucky for making it through.  I suffered far less than a lot of guys there.

When I came home from the Marines for good, I decided to live my dream and become a police officer.  I loved it.  I enjoyed every day.  I can't describe the thrill of loading up my car and hitting the streets... seeing my buddies.. and it wasn't all about jumping out and chasing bad guys.  I learned the most rewarding thing was the difference a small act of kindness could make in someone's life.

On May 27, 2010, I was brutally ambushed.  Over the past two and a half years I have endured more physical pain and suffering than I ever thought one person could handle.  My family has suffered with me through ten surgeries, with another to take place next week.  I've had flesh torn from my skin to save other areas of my body: something I never even experienced in Iraq.  I've endured the emotional torment of not being able to do normal physical activities and know I will never be the same.

Through all of this, no pain has been deeper, no suffering has been greater than the loss of my career.  I will never again get to be a police officer, as I can no longer meet the physical requirements due to my injuries and state of disability.  Just because I survived that day, just because I stand here before you today, I lost my life.  That day - HE (pointing to the defendant) killed a police officer.  He took my life from me and if I had my wish he'd have his taken from him."

Following that statement, the judge sentenced the turd to life, plus 30 years, plus 30 years, plus 4.

Justice was served.  So glad he and his wife can move forward now.