Indiana

Indianapolis? Finest

By Abdul Hakim-Shabazz

As someone who spends a lot of time in downtown Indianapolis, there’s nothing more disturbing and frightening than listening to a report about someone on the roof of a parking garage firing shots.

Luckily, no one on the street was injured.  Unfortunately the entire incident was the end result of a murder-suicide.  However, one thing I have to say is thank God the cops were there.

As much bad press as IMPD has received lately, and a good chunk of it deservedly so, I don’t think there was anyone who wasn’t happy to see the police show up Thursday afternoon.

Yesterday’s incident is also a reminder of the danger police face when they go into a life-threatening situation.  For every officer who responded, there was a chance that he or she might not have come back, but they still went and did their jobs.  These are the officers we should never forget about and lift up whenever possible.

We should also remember that for every David Bisard or Matt Elam, there are the men and women who responded to that emergency call downtown, that run into burning buildings, and make life a lot safer for all of us.    I will never condemn them for the actions of bad actors, however I am going to ask them and stand up and show the same courage to help weed out the bad seeds and help improve IMPD’s reputation as they do when they commit other acts of bravery.

We need you more than ever guys.  I hope you’re willing to take on this tough assignment.

Full post as published by Indiana Barrister on August 27, 2010 (boomark / email).