WHO CARES THAT AN OFFICER WAS SHOT?

The Berkeley police officer who was shot in the line of duty has been
compared to the two men shot in the drug bust at the Jack in the Box.
The public has not recognized the difference that one man devoted his
life to public safety and the well-being of others. The first shot hit
his vest. He is one of the lucky Berkeley police officers who has a
vest that fits -- my husband's vest doesn't. If he had been hit, I
would be writing his obituary instead of dealing with the outrage I
feel toward the media and public who clump the two incidents together.

This officer has a family, as do those shot in the drug bust. The
officer's family is not protesting the shooting. It is not calling for
racial issues. It is taking this as part of life and trying to cope
and go on. Why doesn't the public care that a police officer sworn to
protect the public interest has been gunned down? It gives us all a
sense that it can happen to anyone.

The Berkeley officer is a fine man whose life has been destroyed, and
no one cares. Well, I care. I care that he was injured on the job. I
care that neither the media nor the public seem outraged that he was
gunned down on the highway. I care that it may be my husband next.

Lori West

St. Charles