Sorry, Chief, but officer's death is an immigration issue
Sept. 29, 2007 12:00 AM

I have long been a supporter of Phoenix Police Chief Jack Harris. He has done many things to improve the morale of the Police Department.

However, I have to respectfully disagree with his guest column, "Officer's death tragic enough, but now it's being used for racist politics," (Viewpoints, Sunday).

Officer Nick Erfle's death is an immigration issue.

Erik Martinez was an illegal immigrant in this country for over 20 years. This is an immigration issue.

Erik Martinez was deported from this country after he spent many years disrespecting and violating this wonderful country that gave him and his family shelter for more than 20 years. He then came back illegally across the border. This is an immigration issue.

He continued to commit crimes in this country, and there should have been some way that Scottsdale police could have accessed records to see that he had been deported and returned to this country illegally. This is an immigration issue.

Had any of these immigration issues been addressed, Erik Martinez would have not been in this country.

He would not have been on Pinchot Avenue and 24th Street on Sept. 18.

He would not have been stopped for jaywalking.

And Officer Nick Erfle would be home with his wife and children, instead of being buried in a cemetery.

- Stephanie Hamill
Surprise, AZ
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