Three Baton Rouge Area Officers lost their life on July 17, 2016. It was 12 days after two Baton Rouge Officers shot and killed Alton Sterling. Sterling is a convicted felon with violent tendencies. He had proven it on more than one occasion.
On July 5th, It was reported that Alton Sterling pointed a gun at a citizen.
Baton Rouge Officers arrive and Sterling defies their commands. Six years earlier, he did the same thing but in that instance, the gun he was carrying fell out of his pocket. He went to prison for five years following that.
In this incident, he reaches for his gun and it never comes out. He fights two officers and when he would not relent, with a gun in his pocket, the violent felon is shot to death.
Let’s imagine you are the wife, children, and immediate family of one of those Baton Rouge Area Officers killed in the line of duty. It’s been a little over a month since you lost the closest thing to you, the father of your child and your soulmate.
Let’s imagine that The President of the United States requests to see you. You are hurting, struggling and there is no question that the highest office in the land could console you and empathize with the pain.
It’s a tough day but you meet President Obama. It is an honor but also painful. The sting of your husband’s murder because of the uniform he was wearing hurts more than anyone can imagine. You are thankful that President Obama took the time to meet you. His words were kind and thoughtful. For a time, his presence helps you.
Then you watch the news.
Can you imagine what those family members thought when they see that President Obama met with the felon’s family that started it all.
If Alton Sterling would have been a man that night and simply followed the commands of the officers, admitted his guilt and complied, none of this would have happened. The media firestorm and the riots following the shooting would not have sparked a coward to travel to Baton Rouge.
All of it is the fault of Sterling.
Can you imagine what it would feel like if the President paid a visit in homage to that man’s family….To Alton Sterling’s family?
Unfortunately, there are three families in Baton Rouge that knows what that feels like tonight. We can’t imagine the pain.
For President Obama, law enforcement doesn’t understand you nor do we.
This act is despicable.