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LATEST LETTERS

Shooting at the capitol

Monday, July 23 at 2:18 PM

Anthony Edwards of Centennial writes:

One Block Either Way
Look what a block difference would have made in the police shooting at the state Capitol. State Trooper Hemphill was fortunate that the suspect was shot at the state Capitol and has the support and backing of Gov. Ritter. If this shooting had taken place just one block away in any direction and was done by a Denver Police officer the issues presented to the public would be different.
First we would repeatedly hear that the suspect never drew a weapon. Then we would hear that the suspect was some member of a protected interest group, sexual orientation group, undocumented visitor group, homeless group, or religious group. Members of these groups are more important than the average citizen.
Community leaders, religious leaders, cop watch groups, political activists, groups with acronyms in their title, and just plain bleeding heart liberals would be demanding investigations, answers, better answers and more answers. On talk radio, one show’s host would be telling us how his father would had handled this better back in a rough and touch eastern city. Another talk show host would be telling his listeners how he would have use his military dog tags and disarmed the suspect without ever needing to use deadly force. Mental health workers would be demanding more training for the police, so the police would be sensitive to the needs of pistol packing mental patients. The police monitor would be demanding to get the case as soon as possible. Your Denver mayor and the city council would be showing no support for the officer involved in the shooting. Teams of lawyers would be standing before microphones looking for deep pockets.
Trooper Hemphill you did what needed to be done, but you will never know what difference a different uniform or another block would have made for you.

This letter has not been edited.

READER COMMENTS

Oh, I think he knows...

Posted by on July 23, 2007 03:21 PM

Are you kidding?

Denver police can just go and shoot anyone they please. Then no slap on the wrist they get one on the back.

Posted by on July 23, 2007 03:28 PM

I remember a few years ago when police went into the wrong house and shot a man reaching for a can of pop. I wonder if this is the case that the letterwriter was thinking about?

Posted by It's True on July 23, 2007 06:19 PM