A Bumper Sticker on my Casket

Me: What did you think when the guy shot at you?
Her: How silly was I, peeking around the corner like that.

He had a .308 rifle, shooting at the police officers who responded to his wife's call for help. Several of them were pinned down, exchanging fire with the suspect as a way of protecting each other. Only after he was wounded by a courageous officer firing a .223 A4 did the gun battle cease. In the midst of the firefight one of our officers asked that a Bearcat - an armored vehicle - be brought up to shield their retreat.

We didn't have one.

I've spent a few minutes this morning exchanging "pleasantries" with someone claiming to be a retired cop. He thinks that local law enforcement's possession of surplus military MRAPs (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) vehicles represents the end of American liberty. I said dead cops is a pretty steep price to pay for being fashionable. Liberty, he says, used to be fashionable. Who knows, maybe he's onto something.

Officers being pinned down while trying to rescue colleagues happens far too frequently. Without protection from gunfire the attempt is near suicide. Nevertheless, officers rush from cover, or invite the gunman's attention, to save not just friends but citizens on an alarmingly common basis.

Let's not give them the tools to accomplish the rescue. Let's listen to the bumper sticker warriors about how tools, equipment and training equal repression. They know far better than thirty years of having my boots on the ground has afforded me.

UPDATE: This post tells you everything you need to know about the propaganda coming out of some quarters. Read the comments, too. Primers for attacking a police vehicle used to protect officers? Perfect.