POLICE KILLING SOUNDS ACCIDENTAL

I am sorely disappointed. The News-Press has been very cognizant in the
past of the risks that police officers take in enforcing the law.

The editorial "Drug War Casualty," excerpted from the Orange County
Register, makes officers appear as blood-thirsty thugs, rather than men who
raised their right hands and swore before their God to protect innocent
citizens and uphold the constitutional rights of criminals.

"Such killings by police simply are inexcusable" the editorial states. The
killing of people, except in self defense, by any party, is wrong. But this
situation does not sound like a killing. It sounds like a tragic accident.
An accident brought about by the extremes that police officers must go to
in order go home each night, alive and in one piece. We see almost every
day in the news how the drug trade creates large numbers of victims, both
through violence and addiction.

It is no surprise to me that police officers, who are mandated by law to
enforce the drug laws, are caught in the crossfire. Whether or not you
believe in the war on drugs, one must remember that officers are there to
enforce all the laws, not just the ones they might or might not believe to
be morally correct.

It is the violence that is so pervasive in the drug culture that creates a
niche for SWAT teams, who train to be able to handle such dangerous
situations. I'm sure that once criminals cease murdering police officers,
SWAT teams will become a thing of the past. However, the trend doesn't seem
to be heading that direction. Two officers were killed recently in Los
Angeles. Two more who won't be protecting us anymore. Two more who won't be
going home to their families.

We in Santa Barbara County have been lucky in that few of our peace
officers have given up their lives in the line of duty. It is evident that
law enforcement leaders in our area make great efforts in providing the
necessary training and equipment to provide an exceptional level of service
and protection for those they are responsible for.

As for the individual officers, take the time to go and speak to them, and
ask their concerns for their own safety. Take the time to thank them for
protecting you and your family.

The abrupt and violent death of one as young as Alberto Sepulveda is a
sorrow event, as he paid the price for his father's alleged misdeeds. I
make no excuse for the actions of officer David Hawn. I'm sure that whether
the shooting was an accident or intentional will become clear through the
attorney general's investigation.

News-Press, I am disappointed. I realize that so-called "military-style
assaults" are not very politically correct, but that you would print an
article that suggests taking officers' protection away is awful.

M. J. Rose, Santa Maria