HARD-WORKING JOHN BURKE DESERVES RESPECT

In response to the March 14 letters bashing Inspector John Burke of
the Albany County Sheriff's Drug Interdiction Unit:

First of all, to Adam Scavone, I say, illegal drugs are illegal drugs.
It doesn't matter where a person uses them, on the street corner or in
their home; they are against the law. Where would this country be if
everyone took that attitude with the rest of the laws of this city,
state and country?

Secondly, I have just retired from my job after a 35 1/2 -year career
in law enforcement and have known John Burke for more than 30 years. I
know him to be a good street cop and a stand-up hard-working guy.
(After all, he retired from Albany Police and went right to work for
the Albany County Sheriff's Department.)

I don't know David Soares at all, other than what I read in the
newspaper. Therefore, I will keep my comments to myself.

Having said that, it is easy for those who are not involved in
enforcing the laws of our cities, states and counties to sit back and
criticize those of us who work hard at trying to make this a better
place for them to live, day in and day out.

Maybe they should get all the facts together before they pass judgment
on one side or the other.

AL RUTH

Albany