Long ago I had a federal law enforcement commission. I didn’t get it by answering an ad and I didn’t get a huge sign-on bonus when I was hired. I sacrificed years and much else to get it.

I did the job I had the best I was able to. I received Federal Law Enforcement training from both West Virginia University and a private accredited school.

The No. 1 rule in law enforcement that was pounded into you right off is “you can not shoot a fleeing felon.” A felon is not someone that an officer might just want to detain, or stop.

There are times when an officer can use deadly force to stop a person driving or running away. A 37-year-old woman ignoring someone with no identification and wearing a mask isn’t enough. Not by a long shot.

If it is, then what will you think if one of your children drives through a DUI check point without stopping and a State Trooper shoots them in the head because he was afraid? That won’t happen. Not because we all don’t do stupid things at some point, but because a real police officer will not take that shot. A young mother is dead now because this has all gotten out of hand! Shame on all of us!

I had a few people do to me what the lady in Minneapolis did. Ask any police officer who has worked a bit and they will tell you the same.

Once I had to jump onto a four-foot concrete wall to get out of the way of a van operated by drunks. The van hit the wall and got away. My pride was crushed. It still bothers me.

A properly trained and motivated professional won’t take their weapon out and start shooting.

Trump lost me long before he called the truly great John McCain and the members of the armed services “losers.” I usually didn’t agree or even like John McCain. Google John McCain at the Hanoi Hilton and think again what you think of the people leading the Republican Party today.

Change whatever your source for information is and think for yourself. As police officers will say, “Do it now!”

Tom Skergan

Belington