Judges need ability to consider circumstances in police-slaying cases
As police officer Kent Mundell Jr. was honored at a memorial service held for him after being murdered in the line of duty, [“We all feel it,” page one, Jan. 6] Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire stated she will establish a commission because of the recent deaths of six police officers and seek opinions regarding either enhancements to existing laws or creation of new laws.
Laws designed to punish those who murder police officers while on duty must not have unconstitutional automatic clauses written into them that can be overruled after being improperly crafted. Sentencing guidelines need to have alternatives for judges to consider the circumstances.
The death penalty may be appropriate in some cases but an equally harsh sentence of life without parole, or a sentence of 50 years without any possible reduction, needs to be considered as an alternative if the life of an officer is taken in the line of duty by a perpetrator.
New laws must be crafted to prohibit this from happening to insure that those persons who murder officers in the line of duty receive equal treatment under the law — a constitutional requirement.
— Norm Colbert, Seattle
Police procession a waste
My heart goes out to any person who loses a loved one. However, I do not understand the expense associated with the procession of police cars that slow down traffic and fill the air with exhaust. Maybe police officers should all walk to the cemetery.
The officer was killed in the line of duty and police officers know that they are in harm’s way when they take on the job. When we honor men or women who die in the line of duty they are not around to appreciate the event. So, who really does benefit from the extreme cost the taxpayers fork out? Maybe hold a small, quiet family gathering and the money saved could go to benefit those in need.
I was born in Ukraine during World War II. I saw more humans die than I ever would want to. I am not without honoring our fallen, but I feel this is too extreme.
— Jennie Choban, B.C.