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  1. #1
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    Easing the burden

    Editorial

    http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/edi ... 64514.html

    Sept. 24, 2007, 8:16PM
    Easing the burden
    Remember patrolman Rodney Johnson by protecting β€” not overtaxing β€” his fellow officers.


    Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle


    When a police officer dies on the job, many citizens realize for the first time the true depth of their loss.

    Houstonians now know veteran police officer Rodney Johnson, killed last week during a traffic stop, as an individual: longtime husband, warmhearted dad and idealist doing a job he adored. For many, knowing such details makes the loss even harder.

    Conversely, Johnson's death has prompted some lawmakers to engage in reflexive, herd-like thinking. Several politicians are using Johnson's death to seek new measures that would force local police to act as immigration agents. Ignoring the informed views of Police Chief Harold Hurtt and other officers, these lawmakers contend that the best way to keep police safe is to give them more work.

    The opposite is true. To prevent the deaths of other officers, Houston needs to give police adequate backup to do the demanding job they already have.

    Johnson's accused killer is an undocumented immigrant who had already been deported for a criminal record. Johnson was working alone, as staff shortfalls have forced most HPD officers to do.

    Pulling over Juan Leonard Quintero for speeding, Johnson decided to arrest him because the suspect lacked a license. He handcuffed him, patted him down and escorted him into the back of the patrol car. While Johnson called a tow truck to collect Quintero's vehicle, the handcuffed suspect pulled a hidden pistol from his waistband and fired, police said.

    Quintero might have grown homicidal because he feared deportation. What's most relevant is not why he wanted to kill, but how he apparently managed to do it.

    According to police sources, Johnson's best chance at surviving would have been the presence of a partner. Instead, Johnson had to multitask: monitoring passengers in Quintero's truck while patting Quintero down at the same time.

    Being burdened with another job β€” that of an immigration agent β€” would have made Johnson's job only harder. Another officer could have allowed him better, life-saving focus.

    Rather than calling for an increase in police responsibilities, local and state lawmakers should be scouring for funds to attract more police to HPD's ranks. An authentically enforced, comprehensive immigration policy also is essential. It should not be the job of the overworked HPD to execute it.

    Effectively protecting his colleagues is the best way to commemorate officer Rodney Johnson's courageous and generous life.

  2. #2
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    passengers in Quintero's truck
    Does any body know what happen to these people.


    More ICE More Police
    More Americans that care !!!
    No doubt about it

    Washington needs to get off its butt and put a stop at the start

  3. #3
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    Johnson's best chance of surviving would have been to have our immigration laws enforced and the border secured. Period.

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