Police Deaths Surge, Obama Silent on Killings

The National Sheriff’s Association released a statement this week decrying the “senseless killing” of law enforcement officers that has plagued the nation in recent days. After five police officers were killed in a four-day period this week, the Association drew a sharp line from the violence to the controversial halftime show at last Sunday’s Super Bowl.

“The senseless killing of four law enforcement officers just this week – on the heels of the anti-police “entertainment” at the Sunday Super Bowl halftime show – reminds us that the men and women in law enforcement take a solemn oath that includes putting their lives on the line every day to protect our citizens,” said the Association.

They aren’t the only ones concerned about the recent uptick in violence.

Carroll County Sheriff James DeWees, whose jurisdiction includes Baltimore, wrote an open letter to President Obama this week, questioning him on his refusal to address the subject of the fallen officers.

“In case you haven’t heard, eight American police officers over the past eight days have been killed in the line of duty,” DeWees said. “Two of these police officers were Harford County Sheriff’s Deputies that were gunned down at a Panera Restaurant just 50 miles from where you live. I’ve watched and listened intently for words of encouragement and sorrow to come from you, but haven’t heard or seen anything.”

DeWees continued, “I understand that you are a busy man and are being pulled in multiple directions every day of the week. But, when my president doesn’t take the time to openly recognize the sacrifices that brave men & women of law enforcement make each day to keep domestic peace, I’m disappointed!”

Honestly, Obama could go the rest of his presidency without ever once paying tribute to America’s police officers and it would be a vast improvement over what he’s doing now. Yes, it would be nice to have a president who valued those who make the ultimate sacrifice, but it would be enough if he stopped actively attacking them. Since Ferguson, Obama has made it his mission to “reform” law enforcement with measures that will make officers and the communities they protect less safe. A police department in Seattle does not need the feds telling them how to better secure their city.

Police officers are not above the law and they are not above criticism. But with that in mind, both politicians and everyday Americans should be cautious about the judgements they make. Unless you’ve been in the line of fire yourself, you can’t pretend to know what it’s like. Officers who break the law belong in prison, but these few bad apples should not stain the uniform so proudly worn by the vast majority who are good, courageous, and lawful. The current disrespect being shown to police is going to have a direct effect on the kind of people who go into law enforcement in the future. If would-be cops determine that they don’t want to work in a hostile environment, our police departments will have to eventually lower their hiring standards just to fill out the force. Then where will we be?