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FEATURED IN LEADERSHIP
If it appears as if we're beating a dead horse, we are. Early Tuesday, July 5th morning, an officer from yet another police department was shot at while attempting to stop a vehicle for a traffic violation. According to Gardena Police, the driver of the car pulled into a gas station while one of the passengers pointed a rifle at the Gardena officer and fired several shots before the driver sped away. Officers followed the car into a residential area of Los Angeles and arrested four men for attempting to murder a police officer.
Those four men range in age from 21 to 24. They have since been identified as Dante Hedgeman, 21, of Wilmington and Darcell Morris, 22, Quanale Smith, 22, and Malachi Jenkins, 24, all of Compton. All four could potentially be charged with attempting to murder a police officer.
Attempting to murder a police officer.
No matter how many times I read those words, the feeling never goes away. It starts as a shiver at the top of my spine, and slowly works its way down my body untill it hits my stomach and morphs into a huge pit. Noises around me fade to silence as I sit and read in horror at just how common it's become.
I hope that no matter how many times you read those words, that feeling will likewise never go away. It's been said before, but each time this happens it must be said again, because the price is just too high: Violence against police officers is on the rise. Complacency kills. We are warriors. Stay vigilant. Never let your guard down. Always be ready.
Society can't afford to pay the price of police officers being hunted by the criminals they seek to abate. Police officers are here to serve and protect the rest of society. How can they protect us if they themselves aren't safe.
We can't ignore the ever-present danger lurking inside of any car at anytime. We must seek out those who prey on police officers and be fearless in our pursuit of justice for them. What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger, more aware, more ready. Stay safe and always watch your back.
