Mark Norton
Phoenix, Ariz.
To the editor:
I recently attended a memorial service for a man who died after a call was made to 911 for help. I was appalled by the Leavenworth Police Officer who arrived at the event in uniform. In my opinion under the circumstances it was not unlike Rev. Phelps and his group who arrive at the funerals of deceased soldiers. He was not welcome by most attending and refused to leave.
When did citizens’ tax dollars start paying the Leavenworth Police Officers to stop in and visit with friends at local drinking establishments? This was a quiet and pleasant service honoring a man who made people happy. A man that some believe did not deserve to die in police custody as he had commited no crime. I am also puzzled by the show of force sitting outside of the service. There were three officers parked in the lot on the corner and one officer in an unmarked Dodge Charger in the lot across the street. Is this not a form of harassment?
Was this just insensitivity or ignorance? Or was it possibly the arrogance of an unsupervised police force who have no comprehension of what it means to "Serve and Protect?"
Certainly more than mere Taser training is needed for these young officers.
