LIPSTICK ON A PIG

The saga of a convicted drug dealer and three wounded cops takes the
next step on Wednesday. Lawyers will meet to discuss a motion to toss
Judge Doug Abra's guilty findings that last month convicted Daniell
Anderson of attempting to murder Det. Don Murray and wounding Det.
Curtis Penner. A third officer, Const. Jeremy Cull, was hit by friendly fire.

On Dec. 8, 2006, I was retired from the force and was awakened by an
early phone call that told me three cops had been shot during a drug
bust. I never expected to hear that one of them was Don Murray. He
had been one of my guys -- one of my best guys -- just a few years
earlier. All the officers were in hospital. Penner's wound was
severe, but Murray was in the roughest shape.

I lay back and let my thoughts run. I didn't know Cull other than by
good reputation but I had worked a murder with Penner and knew of his
dedication and loyalty.

My thoughts turned to Murray the comic and the time that he took care
of some prowlers at my house. My wife, Jean, had called me at work.
It was a warm weekend, around two in the morning and she was
panicking at the sounds of people fiddling at our front door.

I knew I could depend on Murray and his long-time partner Darryl
Lohmer. I sent them a priority message and they flew over, tripping a
red-light camera along the way. The "prowlers" turned out to be a
couple of tipsy neighbours making their way from house to house
delivering invites for an upcoming block party.

Murray stood on my front lawn and masked his giggles as he delivered
calm reassurance to Jean who was standing at a second-floor window,
suddenly elated that her preparations for jumping had been for nothing.

How could this have happened to these wonderfully decent men?

The story emerged of a properly executed Jubilee Avenue drug raid and
of Anderson hiding in the john armed with a shotgun and slugs. Murray
was leading the pack of officers and struggled to force the bathroom
door. As it opened Anderson pulled his gun's trigger. It would have
sounded like a cannon and Murray recoiled taking the full blast. The
stunning realization of such a hit was made worse as his mind raced
knowing death was on the table.

A five-second war followed. Bullets flew and everybody got shot.
Burned gunpowder stunk up the place. Seriously wounded, Penner
charged and subdued Anderson.

The prognoses were all over the map. Cull returned to active duty
within weeks. Penner's right arm sustained extensive damage that may
require future work.

When I visited Murray in the ICU two days after the shooting his
speech, the swelling and extreme pain dulled by morphine were the
signs of a long, tough road. His once joyful eyes were characterized
by despondency that was still evident just a few weeks ago. His
series of surgeries has been far from a full fix.

Anderson's legal motion is based on allegations of excessive police
force. In the context of the trial evidence, the motion confounds the
dictates of ordinary conscience and looks like the old lipstick on a pig.

When the court mulls things over it should consider public
expectations of the police. As a last bastion we count on the police
to be professional, thoughtful and respectful. Sometimes we need them
to be courageous in the face of extremes and hope they perform
without flaw. They must enforce the law of the masses but recognize
the sanctity of the individual.

We demand their service 24/7 and let's face it, we all sleep a little
better knowing they are willing to take out the trash.

Murray, Penner and Cull surpassed the grand expectations.

Anderson's actions were despicable. In the cold light of day, when
the lipstick falls from Anderson the picture that remains is one of a
now-convicted drug dealer and armed assailant who chose to open fire
on police officers, trying to kill one and seriously wounding
another. Those injuries will be carried forever.

If the law is somehow unable to strongly denounce these crimes,
justice will not easily recover. Some would see it as an affront to
the community and police everywhere.

I would see it as a crushing defeat for my brothers Jeremy Cull,
Curtis Penner and Don Murray.

Robert Marshall is a security adviser and former Winnipeg police officer.