As the news came in regarding the events in Dallas I began to cry. I have a great friend and mentor who works for Dallas PD and I immediately thought of him and his family. My heart goes out to every employee of the Dallas Police Department and their families.

After pausing to reflect on the tragic events my next emotion was anger. Frankly, I’m pissed. I’m pissed off at the shooters, I’m pissed off at the media, and most importantly I’m pissed off at the heartless and spineless “leaders” who continue to throw their officers under the bus in order to save their own careers.

Questions & Answers

The two latest high-profile cases are, from what we know now, at the very least hard to comment on. The videos that stirred the controversies pose as many questions as they answer.

The first case is simpler. In Baton Rouge, a guy who reportedly had threatened a homeless man with a gun decides not to comply and fight with investigating officers—with a gun in his pocket. That’s about what we know, and much yet remains to be seen.

In Falcon Heights, Minn., it’s much more complicated. First off, the video is horrifying. We’re told the reason for the stop is a broken taillight, but that information is provided by the woman narrating and filming as her boyfriend is dying beside her. How reliable is her version of events?

Personally, I have a hard enough time hitting the right keys on my smartphone under normal conditions. Under significant stress, my voice will quake and I might stammer. The stress that this woman is presumably under is hard to fathom. And yet she has the wherewithal to provide what sounds like a court deposition via live stream on her smartphone? It’s utterly bizarre and chilling. Again, the video raises more questions than it answers.

But that didn’t stop the governor of Minnesota from claiming that race was the deciding factor in the death of this young man. Based on what? Does the governor have information that the public does not? Or is he simply expressing an off-the-cuff opinion? Or doing what was politically expedient?

Regardless of his reasons for making these comments, I feel sorry for every police officer in Minnesota today that they have to work under that kind of “leadership.” I can’t imagine the political climate there at this moment or what it’s like to put on a uniform in that state today.

Conclusion

Law enforcement leaders, as you go to work today please take a moment and thank your officers for what they do. Stop as many of them as you can and say thanks! Go out and ride along with them for a few hours today. Let’s show our people that we care about them and the job they do. Lord knows they could use it.

Be safe and remember where you came from!