New Jersey's Bad Boy of Comedy

By: Michael D. Boll

Recently, I had the honor and pleasure of meeting"New Jersey's Bad Boy of Comedy" Mike Marino.  Mike is a Jersey-born comic who has performed all over the world and headlined at some the biggest stages, clubs and theaters in the country.  This talented comedian has been on the stage with some of the biggest names in the business. Mike has appeared in over 200 national television commercials, received many endorsements and a Best Actor Clio Award Nomination. He has acted in many prime-time soaps and television shows including As the World Turns, One Life to Live, Becker, Nikki, Frasier and Party of Five. His film credits include Crooks, Pizza with Bullets, Hangin’ in Hedo and Steven King’s LuckyQuarter and Criticsized.

Adding to his great success in film, theater, commercials and soaps, Mike Marino began touring the world performing and selling out at countless clubs, theatres and casinos. His stand-up material ranges from cutting edge observations of everyday life to his Italian family roots, which recently spun into a TV pilot called Re-Constructing Jersey. His comedic style has landed him guest appearances on The Tonight Show as a regular sketch player, The Martin Short Show, Canada’s Comedy TV, The Boomer Show, Wild Pitch and Hand Held Comedy Radio. A clip of Mike’s appearance on Byron Allen’s Comics Unleashed earned him over 7 million views (and counting). This led to his current web series Marino 2016 – an original comedy based on Mike’s road to the White House and wise guy attempt to become the first Italian-American president of the United States.

A few months ago, the Untied Brewing Company hosted a comedy show for our team in New Providence. Both Assemblyman Jon Bramnick and Mike Marino performed at the show and it sold out immediately. After the show, I was able to meet Marino and he explained to me how he always supported our uniformed heroes and wanted to really get involved with the team.  A few days later, I met with Michael in his Mom's Basement, (where he hosts his nationwide podcast show), and we began working on ideas to help the charity. Michael has always supported our uniformed heroes; he was a member of the USO comedy team and entertained the troops in places like Bosnia and Afghanistan.  After his comedy tour, Michael was awarded the prestigious Bob Hope award.  This award is only presented to performers who go beyond the call of duty. Michael has spent a lot of his time in Los Angeles. He has hosted and performed countless times for our brothers and sisters in blue.  After the tragedy of Sept. 11, 2001, Michael felt he was obligated to do something for the first responders’ families affected by that horrendous and devastating day.  He joined up with both the Los Angeles Sheriffs and Police Department where they do a comedy show every year that raises money for the 9-11 fallen families.   

Our team is very lucky to have Michael on board and we can’t wait to bring joy to these extremely difficult times.

If you are interested and would like to follow Michael Marino, please check out his website mikemarino.net and podcast – “Live from My Mom’s Basement.”

Information, Tour Dates & Merchandise:

www.mikemarino.net      

Latest Videos:

www.youtube.com/mikemarinolive

Like Mike:

www.twitter.com/mikemarinolive

Follow Mike:     

www.instagram.com/mikemarinolive     

Listen to Mike’s Podcast:

www.anchor.fm/mikemarinolive    

If you are interested in joining the team please contact Michael Boll at mdbollio@optonline.net . Also, check out our accomplishments on our website NJVN.org.

13 Reasons Why We Don't Need another Shutdown

By: Eddie Molina

With 2020 coming to a close, I’m starting to see more hope for 2021. But it seems like it’s going to get worse before it gets better. And quite frankly, I just tired of it all.

Even though we all saw increased cases and more restrictions coming, I can’t shake the feeling that it doesn’t have to be this way.

I think I speak for a lot of people when I say dealing with this pandemic is frustrating and the politicians in charge are part of the problem. More orders are emerging as to what needs to close, what restrictions need to be put back in place and so on.

But when I was told that my family and I couldn’t get together as we used to during the holidays- it hit a nerve.

Why?

I mean I get why. But what about everything that has unfolded since this started back in March?

A lot of progress has been made and it’s almost like the government isn’t recognizing any of it. Now it’s been over seven months since the heaviest onset of the virus and a lot has been learned and a lot has changed.

Here’s why we don’t need to shut down again (politicians pay close attention).

There has been seven months…

1) For citizens to understand the importance of social distancing and personal cleanliness.

2) For cleaning product and paper product companies to increase their production and improve their logistics to get it to consumers.

3) For supermarkets, restaurants and general supply stores to learn how to effectively deliver products to customers who prefer to stay home.

4) For the medical equipment companies to develop more ventilators.

5) For people to understand that toilet paper is not ultra-critical and hoarding products is not necessary because the world isn’t ending.

6) For the scientific community to better understand the virus.

7) For the public to see the progress of a vaccine and recognize how close it’s getting.

8) For organizations and businesses of any type to develop protective shields, protocols to promote social distancing and other safeguards for people.

9) For citizens to understand what steps they need to take if they do become symptomatic; contact tracing, quarantining, testing and recovery.

10) For testing facilities to streamline and improve their testing process.

11) For companies to continue developing more accurate COVID tests with faster results. (jamming something up our nose isn’t the only option anymore).

12) For the scientific community to clearly define who is really “at-risk” versus who will have a very high percentage of recovering.

13) For hospitals to improve logistics and operations to accommodate the higher demand of affected people that was expected.

… and a bonus one- for media outlets to understand why they shouldn’t sensationalize the pandemic and scare the s*** out of Americans purely for ratings.

There have only been two different occasions where we, as Americans, had our freedom and liberties trampled on; the Patriot Act after 9-11 and now this… COVID-19. And I’m ready to fight back.

Now understand I’m not heartless and have a lot of compassion for those who succumb to the virus. But there has been seven months for every person, company, entity, etc. to figure out what they need to do for themselves.

There is no way any restriction put in place by the government is going to stop the virus. It’s going to be around for the long term and I believe there is enough information out there that we, as Americans, should be able to move about as we choose. That is the true American way.

Walking the Walk

By: Michael D. Boll

For the last few years, our mobile outreach team has been extremely active and growing throughout the entire state.  Since there are so many veterans and first responders in need, we rely on volunteers to help with mentoring.  One of our team’s mentors, Robert Bouthillette, has really taken things to the next level.  Robert is a Navy veteran, one of our team’s event coordinators, and recently he started a charitable rucking team called the Raritan Bay Ruckers. 

I have had the pleasure of meeting Robert at our 22-hour anti-suicide and PTSD awareness ruck march event at the New Jersey Policemen Benevolent Association at Atlantic City.  While we were doing the walk, Robert said that he would like to do more to help our disabled veterans and their families.  After the event, Robert contacted me and joined the team.  Almost immediately, he began to help out and was always volunteering at our charity events as well. 

Sometimes the general public has a difficult time understanding how to interact with our first responders and veterans.  This is a huge problem, and Robert was extremely motivated to help and make a difference in so many lives and having someone like Robert on the team helps the other volunteers, as well.  Everyone can work together and focus on the first responder or veteran in crisis.   

When COVID-19 struck, a large number of charities and free service programs shut down.  Sadly, so many people were experiencing anxiety and having a difficult time coping.  This caused our mobile outreach program to expand and do whatever it could to help the increase in people in need.  There was a shortage of protective gear and cleaning supplies. A few days into this pandemic, Robert contacted me and stated his company, Ashland Inc, was making hand sanitizer for first responders, veterans and hospital workers.  At this time, we met up and coordinated a statewide distribution plan that would help countless people throughout the state. For nearly four months we were able to provide thousands of gallons of hand sanitizer to hospitals, veteran shelters, police/ fire departments, schools and other places that were helping people during COVID.  During this mission, Robert also volunteered to help with our “Feed the Hero” initiative.  The team began sending hot meals to veteran shelters, hospitals and the National Guard bases.  It was truly amazing seeing how hard Robert worked on doing whatever possible to help make this mission a true success.  The “Feed the Heroes” program fed over 3000 veterans and active-duty military members

Since, things have calmed down some and Robert really began focusing on amazing veteran/ military-friendly events.  The first event he started was when the Raritan Bay Ruckers met in South Amboy and each participant filled their backpacks with canned food for the South Amboy Elks Drive-Thru Food Drive.  Then a few weeks later, the Raritan Bay Ruckers and the Operation Rebound Racing team completed a 27-mile ruck march in the Henry Hudson Trail in Keyport.

There are a few people in this world who really stand out from the rest and dedicate their lives to help others, but Robert Bouthillette is that person.  We are truly honored to have Robert on our team and he has done amazing things with his Raritan Bay Ruckers. 

In these harsh times, it’s refreshing to have a man like Robert taking the lead and making a difference in the lives of our uniformed heroes.

If you are interested in joining the team or need assistance, please send me your name and phone number to Mdbollio@optonline.net

If you are interested in joining the Raritan Bay Ruckers please like their page on Facebook or send me an email at Mdbollio@optonline.net

An Open Letter to Law Enforcement/Correction Officers

By: Chris Amos 

Ladies and Gentlemen, you are serving during the most difficult of days. I am amazed at your commitment, your determination, your resolve to protect and serve during these times of great uncertainty and unrest. I wonder if I would have the backbone and fortitude to come to work after spending an eight-hour, twelve-hour, or even longer shift standing between “peaceful” protesters and their intended targets, which more times than not are the men and women in uniform standing directly in front of them. You are cursed, mocked, threatened verbally, and at times physically. Your immediate supervisors are often by your sides experiencing the same treatment as yourselves. They, for the most part, have your back. Unfortunately, higher up the chain of command the support you receive often becomes less obvious, more nuanced, driven by the winds of popular opinion and political agendas. This only makes a nearly impossible job that much harder. Fortunately, I personally know a few chiefs and sheriffs who are determined to place their responsibilities as leaders ahead of personal aspirations or self-preservation. So, they do exist and thank God for them.

Three years ago, I wrote of the dangers facing law enforcement and predicted those dangers would only increase as we drew closer to the 2020 presidential election. I drew an analogy between the law enforcement officers of our day and the Vietnam veterans in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s.Back then, President Nixon was isolated and safe behind large gates, locked doors and security details. The Vietnam vets, not so much.

Fast forward to 2020; , the president, is safely tucked away behind, gates, doors and security details. Unfortunately, the law enforcement or corrections officer who slides by the grocery store to pick up diapers for his newborn baby on the way home has no such protection. No, you are on the front lines, both on duty and off. In fact, even in retirement, I have recently experienced a taste of the outrage, as I was on the receiving end of food that had been tampered with at a local drive thru. What was my crime? My license plate indicated I was a police officer.

As a retired police officer having served almost 27 years, and now as a citizen whom you have taken an oath to protect and serve, please allow me to share my expectations of you. I expect you to carry out your duties with professionalism, integrityand fairness to all regardless of race, sex, religion,ZIP code, etc. I expect you to do your job without fear or favor. I expect you to use the powers entrusted upon you, and great powers they are, in a fair, righteous and just way. I expect you to continue doing what most of you have done since taking your oath of office, policing the police. A corrupt, heavy-handed, falsely accusing, evidence-planting cop, deputy or corrections officer is a CANCER to law enforcement and must be removed, and when warranted, arrested. We have seen in recent weeks just how dangerous and destructive bad cops are to the 800,000+ men in women in law enforcement and correctionswho do their jobs to the best of their abilities. Keep doing the job to the best of your abilities, and if you cannot in today’s charged environment – get out. I, for one, certainly cannot blame you.       

Now, what I DO NOT expect from you, PERFECTION. You are imperfect human beings created by God. I do not expect perfection, despite the media mouthpieces and Monday morning quarterbacks who think otherwise. I do not expect you to know everything as you pull up to a scene. I do not expect you to handle a violent domestic, robbery suspect or drug dealer as if you were teaching a child’s Sunday School class. I do not expect you to walk away from a 12-hour shift on the front line of a peaceful protest turned riot, having been called everything in the book, and not be impacted. I do not expect you to be able to process in a split second, what your critics will take weeks, if not months, to second guess,investigateandevaluate before coming to their own conclusions from the safety and comfort of their air conditioned offices, behind their big desks, sitting in their leather chairs. In other words, I do not expect you to risk your own life out of an overabundance of fear that someone might be upset or offended by actions you take that are needed and necessary to protect yourself or others. I do not expect you to have to suffer life-threatening wounds or injuries before you take action to defend yourselves or others. I don’t expect you to surrender your vehicles, your precincts and blocks of your own cities to anarchists, rioters, arsonists and looters. I do not expect you to walk on water, give sight to the blind or raise the dead. Only Jesus could and did do such a thing.

Now what you can expect from me, and I believe, most Americans; support, respect, appreciation, and heartfelt thanks and gratitude for your service. I will pray for your safety and that of your family. I will pay my respects every time a member of the Thin Blue Line is killed in the line of duty. And I will continue to be available to the many police officers, deputies, and firefighters who seek me out just to unload the trials and troubles of the day. Anything I can do to help lighten your load I am committed to doing. Take care, be safe, and God Bless.

See you at the finish line!

Police Officer Cassie Johnson

By: Jonny Castro

On Dec. 1, 2020 Charleston (West Virginia) Police Officer Cassie Johnson responded to a report of an SUV parked in someone’s driveway. The driver of the vehicle got into a verbal dispute with Officer Johnson when she arrived on location. At some point during the confrontation, the suspect pulled a gun and callously shot her. Though gravely wounded, she was able to draw her service weapon and fire two rounds which struck the suspect in his chest before she collapsed. For two days, doctors worked tirelessly to save her, but it was eventually determined that Officer Johnson’s wounds would be unsurvivable. Succumbing to her injuries, she remained on life support long enough so that her organs could be donated to help save others. 

Officer Cassie Johnson was a three-year veteran of law enforcement. She served as a Humane Officer before joining the Charleston Police Department last January. Officer Cassie was a devoted daughter, sister, friend and lover of all animals. Her unit #146 was permanently retired with the Charleston Police Department. Officer Johnson was 28 years old.

Editors Point of View

Welcome to another excellent issue of Blue Magazine. As you can see on our cover, we fully endorse President Donald J. Trump for re-election, and have awarded him our most prestigious Man of the Year Award. Congratulations, Mr. President!

If 2020 has taught us anything, it’s who is worthy of our votes. Politicians live and die for votes. Ever consider why they typically reach out during election cycles and then disappear? Power. Full stop. It’s all about obtaining and retaining power. Sadly, for many politicians, power is like an addictive drug that causes them to do whatever it takes, including being silent while cities burn and violence surges if it will bring them to or keep them in power. They will perpetuate false narratives against law enforcement, scapegoating the men and women who serve and protect our communities to gain an unfair advantage at the ballot box. They tacitly approve of the cop-hating mobs, the supposed peaceful protesters who are torching everything in sight and bludgeoning anyone brave enough to speak out against them. We at Blue Magazine are amazed at the great lengths of appeasement politicians will go to. We deserve better from our elected leaders.

The choice is clear. The political parties are diametrically opposed when it comes to their stances on law enforcement. We have had enough of the violence — the slaughtering of cops, the broken bones and assaults simply because they wear a uniform. We are tired of seeing the endless stream of images of officers with blood spilling from their faces, from being struck with bricks, frozen water bottles and anything else these lunatics can get their hands on.

So remember, as a profession, law enforcement votes are very precious, and we should not cheapen our voting power to assuage any unworthy politician or political party. We must stand with those who stand with us. President Trump had our backs long before he was president and has proven irrespective of the tremendous pressure by the cop-hating opposition, including their co-conspirators in the corporate media, that he unwaveringly stands with the men and women on the frontlines. It’s refreshing nearly every time Trump is in front of a microphone; he messages the American people to stand with law enforcement. Trump is worthy of our support.

At Blue Magazine, we implore officers and their families in our great nation to cast their votes to re-elect our great law and order President Donald Trump. Again, we congratulate Pres. Trump — Blue Magazine’s 2020 Man of the Year!

George Beck, Ph.D.
Editor-in-Chief

Blue for Trump: 2020 Man of the Year

Blue for Trump: 2020 Man of the Year
Trump endorsed by National Police Magazine

I was honored when asked by Blue Magazine to write an article about President Donald Trump and why he deserves the honor of being named Man of the Year. From the time I was a little kid, I always looked up to cops and I always knew that it was the right career choice for me. No doubt. I have a great respect for law enforcement officers whether they are city, county, state or federal officers. In my opinion, they are the finest 1% this nation has. My support for law enforcement is unwavering and we have a president who has supported law enforcement for his entire life.

On November 21st of 2019, I was honored as Man of the Year by Blue Magazine, Moment of Silence, and Brothers Before Others in a New Jersey ceremony called “Night to Unite.” Weeks before, when these organizations came together and announced that I’d receive the award, the first person to call and congratulate me was President Trump.

I’ve received many awards during my long career, but the most significant for me was being honored with the Man of the Year Award given by front-line cops at Night to Unite — a tremendous event, with nearly one thousand cops in the same room. The camaraderie was tremendous, but it’s always that way with police and firefighters. The men and women of the profession I admired as a child — and lived — took time from their busy lives to say thank you. It doesn’t get any better than that.

This year it is President Donald Trump being recognized as Man of the Year. In my humble opinion, he has been Man of the Year since his inauguration, because from day one of him sitting in the Oval Office, he has supported law enforcement and first responders like no other president in my lifetime. I have worked for six different presidents starting with Ronald Reagan and I respected every president I ever worked for. However, let me be clear, no president has done more for the men and women that carry that badge and gun than Trump. That is a stone-cold fact based on his words and actions. The person in the Oval Office greatly impacts the people on the front lines of law enforcement. The president sets the tone — either by what they say and do, or by what they don’t say and don’t do. No comparison, not even close.

The night of my award, much of my acceptance speech was about President Trump and his love and respect for the men and women who serve on the front line. Until you serve, you don’t realize what a thankless job it can be, and how much a thankful leader means.

That night, I heard numerous stories about Donald Trump, from his life before 2016. I learned that he supported law enforcement long before he became president. Bernie Kerik shared with me that Mr. Trump used to go down to ground zero in the dark of the night. He wasn’t looking for TV cameras or attention. He went down there among the debris and hazardous conditions to pay his respect for the lives lost, and to personally thank the men and women who were doing the incredible task of sorting through the carnage and respectfully recovering remains so family members could honor the deceased. Donald Trump also sent additional workers to provide assistance. A billionaire businessman went to that scene where so many perished, and so many got sick, simply to pay his respects — not once, but numerous times.

Another officer, Rob worked for the New York City transit police before they merged with the NYPD and was assigned to the midtown Manhattan area. He shared with me that he and other officers had numerous interactions with then-businessman Trump. He would always notice Rob and the other officers, stop what he was doing, and ask how they were doing. He’d tap them on the chest or back to make sure they were wearing their bullet-resistant vests, and remind them to “be safe.” Mr. Trump would also extend an invitation for them to use Trump Towers’ employee dining facilities for their lunch or dinner break.

I heard countless stories about Donald Trump that night — the man, not the celebrity or president. From showing up at police fundraisers in the late ‘80s and ‘90s to say thank you and hanging out with those in attendance, while quietly leaving five-figure donations, to everyday interactions with street cops.

Now, let’s fast forward to Donald Trump becoming the president of the United States. From day one he has had the six of law enforcement officers. He has had their backs. With the unprecedented attack on law enforcement this past two years, it was President Trump who never cowered. He strongly voiced his support for the men and women in law enforcement and his support never weakened, never diminished. In fact it grew stronger. It was the right thing to do for the men and women who leave the safety and security of their homes every day to risk their lives for people they don’t know and people they will never meet again. It helped that they knew they had the support of the most powerful person on the planet, the president of the United States. Again, no president has ever came out as boldly as Trump during the most trying and controversial times. He fought side by side with the American heroes and would not allow the false narrative of the left to vilify these American patriots who serve their communities and save lives every day.

As President Trump stated in September “America needs creation, not destruction; cooperation, not contempt; security, not anarchy; healing, not hatred; justice, not chaos. This is our mission, and we will succeed.” In that same month he signed a memorandum to hold local politicians accountable for refusing to protect their communities from rioting, looting and mass property destruction. The memorandum directs agencies to identify federal funds provided to Seattle, Portland, New York City, and Washington, D.C., and the authorities available to withhold funds. The Department of Justice, in consultation with other federal agencies, will consider a number of factors, including whether the city defunded the police or prevented local law enforcement from intervening to restore order.

Earlier this year, under the president’s direction, the Department of Justice launched Operation Legend to surge federal resources to cities and jurisdictions plagued by violence and crime. Upon the announcement the president said, “Today, I’m announcing a surge of federal law enforcement into American communities plagued by violent crime. We’ll work every single day to restore public safety, protect our nation’s children, and bring violent perpetrators to justice. We’ve been doing it, and you’ve been seeing what’s happening all around the country. We’ve just started this process, and, frankly, we have no choice but to get involved.”

Since the operation’s launch, there have been more than 2,000 arrests, including defendants who have been charged in state and local courts. Of those arrests, approximately 592 defendants have been charged with federal crimes. In addition, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has seized 587 firearms, more than 1.2 kilos of heroin and more than five kilos of methamphetamine; the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has seized almost 70 kilos of methamphetamine, more than 16 kilos of heroin, more than 7 kilos of fentanyl, more than 12 kilos of cocaine, 268 firearms and approximately $5.19 million in drug proceeds; the FBI has recovered 241 weapons; and the U.S. Marshals Service has recovered 169 firearms and made 1,810 arrests, including 163 for homicide and 120 for sexual assault.

Also remember in 2017, shortly after becoming president, he revitalized Project Safe Neighborhoods to bring together communities and law enforcement at all levels of government to reduce violent crime.

In 2019, in further support of our nation’s cops, President Trump established a new executive Commission on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice – the first commission on law enforcement in half a century. The commission will study key issues facing law enforcement – like substance abuse, homelessness and mental illness. The commission will look at best practices for recruiting, training and supporting law enforcement officers. He also signed an Executive Order to help prevent violence against law enforcement officers at the federal, state, tribal and local level.

The president has also shown unprecedented support for our federal immigration agents and stepped up efforts to stop crime and drugs from flooding across our border. In his 2020 State of the Union address, Trump stated, “We will always support the brave men and women of law enforcement, and I pledge to you tonight that I will never abolish our heroes from ICE. Thank you.” He also recognized the efforts of ICE officers to keeping our communities safe.

This campaign season, Trump has reiterated his support for law enforce-ment and underscored the threats to law and order posed by a Biden presidency. Prior to leaving on Marine One for Minnesota on Sept. 30, he stated, “I want law and order to be a very important part — it’s a very important part of my campaign. And when I say that, what I’m talking about is law enforcement has to — the police have to take care. And they should stop defunding the police like they’ve done in New York.”

At a rally in Middletown, PA on Sept. 26, the president stated, “The Democrat Party’s war on cops is putting our police officers at risk. As President, I will always stand with the heroes of law enforcement. We will hire more police, increase penalties for assaults on law enforcement.”

At another rally in Newport News, VA on Sept. 25, he said, “With your vote, I will preserve our Constitution and ensure law and order. We will hire more police, increase penalties for assaults on law enforcement, and we will ban deadly sanctuary cities. Ban them.”

At the Black Economic Empowerment forum in Atlanta, GA on Sept. 25, he was quoted as saying, “Including over 50,000 incredible black police officers who risk their lives every day to keep us all safe. You know, they protect people that they've never met before, and it's very dangerous. It's -- they're amazing.”

At a rally in Jacksonville, FL on Sept. 24, Trump stated, "Every year, dozens of courageous police officers lay down their lives for people that they never met, people that they don't know, people they never saw, in most cases. Right? They lay down their lives for people they never have met. They’re incredible. Law enforcement; let's give them a hand, please. As President, I will always stand - and I will always stand with the men and women of law enforcement. They’re great people. They’re very brave people. Not easy. And they don't get support. We have to give them back their dignity. We have to let them do their job. That's very simple. They're great.”

In a press briefing on Sept. 16, he doubled down by stating that, “The anti-police crusade from the Democrats and the radical left - and radical-left Democrats also - has to stop. The leftwing war on cops puts our officers in danger and our communities at very grave risk. Can't do this. Biden described the police as the enemy. They're not the enemy; they're the friend. They're our friend. They’re helping us. And if you go to - I just saw a poll - it just came out or recently came out - where African Americans, by 84 percent, wanted more police. They wanted safe neighborhoods. I'll always stand by our heroes of law enforcement, and we want to stop this horrible rhetoric and stop it fast."

I can go on and on but we don’t have enough pages to fully explain that President Trump says it and he does it. He talks the talk and he walks the walk when it comes to having the back of our cops. He has said it. He has proven it.

The police have taken notice, and President Trump has been endorsed by a record number of police agencies.

Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) – nation’s largest police union, representing 355,000 officers. FOP President Patrick Yoes stated: “Public safety will undoubtedly be a main focus for voters in this year’s election… Look at what the national discourse has focused on for the last six months. President Trump has shown time after time that he supports our law enforcement officers and understands the issues our members face every day.”

National Association of Police Officers, which represents more than 241,000 officers nationwide, stating “Our endorsement recognizes your steadfast and very public support for our men and women on the front lines, especially during this time of unfair and inaccurate opprobrium being directed at our members by so many.”

International Union of Police Associations, which represents more than 100,000 officers, said: “Every top Democrat currently running for this office has vilified the police and made criminals out to be victims. They seem to take any union’s support for granted. Many of them still refer to the tragedy in Ferguson as a murder, despite the conclusions of every investigative inquiry to the contrary. While his candor ruffles the feathers of the left, I find it honest and refreshing. He stands with America’s Law Enforcement Officer and we will continue to stand with him.”

National Association of Police Organizations, citing his “steadfast and very public support” for law enforcement.

NYC Police Benevolent Association, representing more than 24,000 NYPD officers.

Chicago’s Fraternal Order of Police, characterizing endorsement as a “no-brainer.”

ARTWORK BY JONNY CASTRO

Texas Municipal Police Association, stating “Joe Biden is not capable of making any kind of commitment to law and order.”

New Jersey State Policemen’s Benevolent Association, stating "At a time when Democrats are calling to defund the very men and women who keep our communities safe, our campaign has chosen instead to stand beside them and make our support for men and women in blue very clear."

For those reading this article, there is no argument that President Trump has always stood, continues to stand and will always stand with our law enforcement heroes. He has consistently stood up for law enforcement and it’s time we come out in full force on Election Day to vote for the man who has our backs.

President Trump, let me be the first to say, you have truly earned this Man of the Year award! Blue Magazine appreciates and supports you. Congratulations to the finest president in my lifetime from the men and women of law enforcement.

Tom Homan grew up in West Carthage, New York. He is a career law enforcement officer. He was a police officer, then a Border Patrol Agent, then a Special Agent investigating criminal organizations that smuggle aliens or traffic in females and children. He was nominated by the President to be the ICE Director. He had a 34-year career enforcing immigration laws. He is now a Fox News contributor. He lives in Washington, DC.

DETROIT POLICE CHIEF JAMES CRAIG ON BLM, ANTIFA, CRIME AND MORE.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH DETROIT POLICE CHIEF JAMES CRAIG
Cops Count, Leadership Matters
By Daniel Del Valle, Shai Carr and Catherine Angel

Police Chief James Craig has an impressive law enforcement career that began in 1977 as a Detroit police officer. In 1981 he became a Los Angeles police officer and worked his way up the ranks in our profession, serving as the police chief in Portland, Maine, and Cincinnati, Ohio, before returning to his roots at the Detroit Police Department where he currently serves as chief of police. 

Recently, Chief Craig has been making national headlines as a no-nonsense law enforcement leader who stands up for his officers, and serves and protects the community with integrity and pride. Chief Craig is a role model for many big city law enforcement leaders. We at Blue Magazine believe many law enforcement leaders can learn valuable lessons from emulating Chief Craig. 

Blue Magazine recently traveled to Detroit to sit down with Chief Craig and discuss many important issues effecting law enforcement.  We thank Chief Craig and all the fine officers we met at the Detroit Police Department for their hospitality and professionalism. Be safe out there!

The Blue Magazine: Let's get right into it. Attorney General Barr recently came to Detroit. He toured your city and promised to help you combat crime. How was this offer received?

Chief James Craig: I was excited. This was a continuation of what we already started. Let's be candid. People manipulate the narrative. They're sending federal troops into the cities to do what? In some cities, the statements are made that they're here to manage peaceful protesters. That was never the case here in Detroit, never. Factually, this department has been in a relationship with federal law enforcement now for 26 years. 1994, to be exact.

In December, AG Barr visited our city under a new operation that was being launched then to assist select cities in reducing violence. And while the department had made some great strides to drive violence down, one of the things that was clear, per capita violence was still higher than it should be.

Then in December, I stood with AG Barr and all the heads of the federal law enforcement entities, FBI, ATF, U.S. Marshals, DEA, who came to Detroit. I remember AG Barr telling me then we like what we see, what's going on in terms of law enforcement. Innovative department, crime is coming down and we think we can be helpful and then your leadership, chief, and so I wanted to announce Relentless Pursuit here in Detroit and that's what he did. So, of course, after he left and they began to develop a strategy to assist the select cities, COVID hits and we know the impact COVID had. Then right after COVID, we transitioned quickly into the tragic killing of Mr. Floyd and in subsequent protests in major cities across this country, some of which were very violent. As a byproduct of this, the COVID, anti-police rhetoric, bail reform, just to name a few, a lot of our major cities, particularly those who saw tremendous reductions in violence, began to soar with crime. So the idea was that Operation Legend, which is what it is called now, is a continuation and enhancement, if you will, of Relentless Pursuit. And so that's what gets lost. I've talked about it nationally and locally, it's a continuation. Its enhancement and so clearly, the people of Detroit want effective and efficient law enforcement. They want to mitigate the violence that has occurred and they're very aware of the spike like in so many cities.

Is the spike in crime correlated with COVID and the Floyd incident?

Absolutely, and I can certainly go into that. So let's reflect on what's driving violence now. Why now, you know, COVID and then protests and bail reform. So we all know with COVID, there's been a tremendous push in many of the large cities to do what? Early release of some violent, predatory criminals now. But we understand that there could have been more thought as to who gets released. I mean, if it's a property crime suspect, a habitual offender who is a burglar, OK, fine. But when you start letting individuals out who have a propensity to violence, what do you think is   going to happen? That's what we're seeing in our major cities. Then let's talk briefly about bail reform. Does there need to be reform to our bail system? Certainly, but we're talking again same concept, violent predatory criminals historically engaging in violence. Is this someone you want to reintroduce back into our communities? So it's not a surprise when you see it. Then what we've also seen across this country is increased aggression of suspects against our men and women who wear the uniform, not just here in Detroit but across this country. And why is that? Because suspects today feel emboldened. They've embraced the anti-police rhetoric and in many of these cities, police officers are not supported. So it gives suspects this sense of I can do what I want.

Do you correlate a lot of this uproar, negativity and culture against law enforcement to the Democratic Party?

I'm not going to get into the politics of it. If I was in New York right now, I would probably have an answer for you. But here our mayor, who happens to be Democrat, is very supportive of law enforcement. OK? That's the difference.

You have a police chief and a mayor who are in sync on
reducing violence in this city.

I'm not the chief of police in New York or New Jersey or Portland or Seattle. You know, that doesn't mean that they’re individuals who serve in leadership, political leadership positions who have adopted this anti-police rhetoric like dismantle the police, defund the police. That's not a conversation being had by our mayor. It's not being had by the majority of our elected city council. There are few who have embraced the notion of defunding, but that's not the same. So again, as I've taken a stand that you cannot paint an entire party or all of these cities, some of which are run by Democrats, as not effective. Take it individually. Now, there are some cities… Frankly, what I see going on in my own home of Los Angeles is troubling. They've defunded the LAPD. The problem I find with this conversation, not your conversation, but with the conversation about the defunding and dismantling is a group of people who are speaking, they allege, are speaking for the people who live in that city. Well, I can tell you here in Detroit, these outsiders who've come into Detroit who have been protesting, they do not speak for Detroiters.

Detroiters don't want to defund the police. They don't want to dismantle this police department. And, of course, across the board, all of us in this business have denounced the tragic killing of Mr. Floyd in Minneapolis. But does that mean that every department across this country is in some way having problems? That's not the case here in Detroit. And so these outsiders have come into our city to hijack the message. It's a hijacking of the message. Then you have in some of these cities, people who sit in seats of leadership, who stand quiet because they lack the courage to stand up and take a position to support law enforcement, support their communities. Talking about safety and generally the people who claim to speak for people who live in these communities, they don't live in the cities. They don't live in the areas in many of our large urban centers that are populated by mostly persons of color. And when you talk to people who live in those communities, and I have whether it was L.A. and Cincinnati, I can tell you they want the police.

So let's discuss deeper how Detroit is different than other major cities. How did Detroit get to a point where, say, someone like AG Barr was recently received here without political interference? 

It's shameful that we got to think in terms of partisan politics. It's shameful. This is about fighting crime. I can tell you that I didn't get a lot of pushback and there were some who expressed concern about operationalizing in Detroit. Once, the message was hijacked by this mob mentality that put out the narrative that the feds are coming into these cities to control and manage peaceful protesters. Now, it is factual that there were some federal buildings being attacked. I think it was in Portland they were protecting federal property. That was not the case here. In fact, we know definitively we have never asked for federal support to manage the now week 12 of protests. Not one time. We didn't ask for the National Guard. We didn't ask for outside assistance because we didn't need it. And we were very clear that we had a few days of disruptions. The first three days following the Floyd situation, there were some cars attacked, police officers attacked. But in comparison to some of these other cities, I'm sure you're aware of Los Angeles, Philadelphia, New York City, where there was burning, looting, riot and civil unrest. We didn't have that.

Why? 

I'm glad you asked, because, frankly, as I've said to my colleagues in other cities, you cannot wait till something bad happens to then decide, well, I’ve got to work with the community. I had to get this relationship from day one when I got here. That's part, I guess, is part of my DNA. I understand the benefits of having a trust base, and I put emphasis on trust, trust-based relationships with people you're serving. That's very important. And it doesn't start when there's an officer-involved shooting incident. It's an everyday thing and it's institutionalized in this department. 

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I give a lot of credit to our community. I give a lot of credit to our police officers who rely heavily on their training, the execution and understanding to use only the force that is necessary. And so it's a combination of things. A false narrative was perpetrated where there was an allegation that we ran over peaceful protesters with one of our scout cars. False. What happened, several of the protesters became agitated, angry because the police officers were on scene wanting to redirect the path of the march and doing so, that core group of the angry mob surrounded our police vehicle. They began to attack the vehicle, got on the hood, started beating on the sides of the car and the officers you could see in the video that they were very carefully trying to move the police SUV, but it continued. And then at some point, one in the angry mob took out the back window of the scout car. And according to one officer, who was in it, he didn't know if he was being fired upon. So at that point, he had only one thing to do and to get out of there. Even then, he tried to do so in a very careful way because he knew there was a potential for some of these individual sustaining injuries. Yet the headlines and the story was these were peaceful protesters who were incited by Detroit Police Department. Conveniently left out was that some of these “peaceful protesters” were armed with long wooden-handle hammers. They left it out. So that's what we're dealing with, not just here in Detroit. Again, it's not the Detroiters that we're dealing with. We're dealing with the outside agitators; the domestic terrorists who have come into our city like they've come in to other major cities across this country.

But chiefs in your position are not saying anything. They're going along with it and we have to, at some point, understand that these chiefs are being controlled by their mayors. You obviously have a different type of approach. How are you handling that approach where others cannot?

Well, first of all, I'm sworn and obligated to protect. If a day comes where I cannot fulfill my obligation to this community and my obligation to the men and women who serve, then that should be my last day of working. It's just that simple. So, I'm going to make decisions. Our mayor  respects my experience and my decision-making. I'm keenly aware that I would be held accountable for a bad decision. I'm not perfect, but I've been doing it long enough to know what's important. The day I stop supporting the good work of our officers is a day that we will see what we see in other cities, and that's called de-policing. We don't de-police here in Detroit. In fact, despite the necessity to manage these protests, now week 12, our police officers are still every week going out every day and making arrests for individuals who are illegally carrying guns.

That's because you have their back. Is that safe to say?

It's safe to say. And they know that they come up to me and they say, chief, we appreciate you. Whether you sit in my seat or you sit in some other seat, it does take courage. And the problem today is that there are individuals who lack the intestinal fortitude to stand up, despite what the vocal minority is saying. There are people who sit in elected seats who refuse to stand up, but they call me, I need your help. Because what I've come to understand and we saw evidence of this in other cities, whether it was Portland, Oregon, or Seattle, the mob turned on the mayors.

As you know, some police precincts around the country were overtaken by criminals. How far would you go to stop this siege if it happened in your city? 

You use whatever force is necessary to overcome violence. I didn't say excess, not excessive force — the appropriate force that is necessary. Now, if the situation is you were overrun, outstaffed, I mean, there's something called officer safety, but that doesn't mean you go into a full retreat and abandon. So there's a strategy that should be in place. But one strategy, it's not retreat. For example, we had somebody wanted to set up a little mini no cop zone here in the city of Detroit. I got the call from one of my commanders on the ground. He said, we had the intel and they

just set it up. I tell you what, give them one morning. Not a lot of time, a few minutes and I want them gone. They were gone within the hour. They set up and within that hour they were gone. That's not what Detroit wants. I serve at the pleasure of the people, not some outside domestic terrorist, who wants to come into our city. What message is sent if you take over a police station and then I just abandon and say there's nothing I can do. Now tactically, things happen. We know that sometimes you might be in a situation where there may be a necessity to back off.

Black Lives Matter. Do you think they are a good or a bad group?

I'll tell you, black lives do matter, but I take it in that all lives matter because if black lives truly matter, then why are we not talking about black on black crime that happens to so many of our urban communities. We're not talking about the impact of managing daily protests and moving resources out of the communities. What about those lives? So in terms of messaging, I think initially that the movement, to bring light to police excessive force was proper. We don't disagree with their message. However, what's become of the Black Lives Matter movement cannot be and should not be about looting. It shouldn't be about violence against police officers. They say, well, violence works. I heard some well-known commentator who made the statement, well, America pays attention to violence, but I don't support violence. Why don't we digress and think back on the non-violent marches, Martin Luther King and the impact that had on change. So what's happened today, that under the guise of the banner of Black Lives Matter, the outside agitators call them anarchists, call them Boogaloo, Antifa, who have hijacked the message under their banner. They have no interest in Mr. Floyd. This is not about Mr. Floyd. Now, I got to believe there are some members, the original founders, who still believe in denouncing police excessive force or excessive force that results in the killing. We all agree with that. 

So what have they gotten right and what have they gotten wrong?

Well, what they got wrong, I think that the chief issue, in my estimation, is allowing individuals who had other agendas to get involved. Instead of denouncing the violence and looting, what good are we doing if we go into urban communities and there's looting that's inspired by the agitators? What does that do in promoting black lives? I mean, what about black-owned businesses? What does that do to promote the agenda? It undermines it. It just clearly undermines the agenda. So I’ve got to believe that they can take that leadership role like our local activists have taken here and said, oh, no, you're not bringing this to Detroit. And some of those local activists were courageous who support Black Lives Matter in its original form, but said, you folks got to go, you've got to leave Detroit. You're not going to engage in violence. It's just that simple.

Your thoughts about Antifa?

On what I know about Antifa. Domestic terrorists. What I've heard about, and I'm not actively investigating Antifa or Boogalos, uh, whatever, I understand they're anti-government. Let's face it, law enforcement is the face of the government to domestic terrorists. If it is your agenda to undermine local, state, US government and you do it by force of violence, you are defined in my definition as a domestic terrorist. I don't care if you’re Antifa, Boogaloo or whatever. 

President Trump has consistently mentioned Detroit and wants Detroit to thrive. Have you seen anything positive come out of his office for Detroit?

Well, I can tell you, he's been a staunch supporter of law enforcement across the nation. He said something recently I thought was kind of interesting. It was an interview and he was talking about Chicago and a few other cities. And then he got to Detroit, he said, but in Detroit and I hope I get the quote right. “He's a very, very good chief. They have a very, very good police chief,” and then probably within 24 hours, either before some point, Vice President Biden  was being interviewed and Detroit came up, I guess similar conversations about what's going on in the different cities. And in that conversation, “Detroit has a good mayor, but they also have a good police chief.” So when I talk about these issues, I don't get caught on issues of the left or the right, but focus right down the middle and do what I have to do. That's what most Americans want, whether they are on the left or on the right.  

Right now many police unions are endorsing President Trump, which is something that never really happened before. New York City PBA just endorsed President Trump. They've never, ever endorsed a president. Do you support President Trump?

I support the many things he has said regarding law enforcement. As I indicated earlier in this, I don't get into a partisan political conversation. I just don't.

Many in our profession are discussing the suicides we are having; now more than ever, people are having difficulties. We've actually now lost more to blue suicide than line-of-duty deaths. Please speak directly to the cop today who is in a dark place. 

There is hope and here's what I know in my many years of service. The vast majority of the silent community that you serve, they love, they revere and support you. Never forget who you work for. Those are the people who have driven me for 44 years. Certainly it does help when you have a leader who will come out, stand up with you and support you. That does make a difference. There are many communities across this nation that support the men and women who serve. I am part of this law enforcement family. I love each and every one of you. I support you. 

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What does your playlist sound like when you're driving home? What do you listen to?

Now you’re getting a little personal. So admittedly, I workout every morning. You don't have a small waist like this at 64 years old if you don't workout. And when I workout, I listen to hip hop because I am a little older and I need to get my blood going.

So are you a Biggie or Tupac fan?

Well, you know, because I spent so much time in California, I got to lean a little bit to Tupac, but also because I grew up in Detroit and I think Biggie had an affinity to Detroit. He would talk about Detroit in a very affectionate way. So I kind of embrace them both. And they were both creative in their own right.

You know, Eminem put Detroit on the map.

Yes.

Are you an Eminem fan?

I like Eminem and guess what? Eminem was birthed by who? Artists out of Southern California where I spent the lion's share of my professional career. So, you know, do you like New York hip hop versus middle Midwest, like here in Detroit, Chicago, which has its own sound? Or do you like the West Coast? If it sounds good and I can get through a workout, it's good for me. It surprises everybody. Not my staff. They kind of know.

'Democrats Side with the Mob, Support Efforts to Defund or Outright Abolish Us - We Must Re-Elect President Donald J. Trump!

'Democrats Side with the Mob, Support Efforts to Defund or Outright Abolish Us
We Must Re-Elect President Donald J. Trump!

For the men and women of our nation’s law enforcement community, President’s Trump’s reelection isn’t just desirable — it’s imperative.

Joe Biden, despite his efforts to play it coy, has directly endorsed the objectives of the "defund the police" movement, sharpening the contrast between his increasingly radical platform and the Trump administration’s consistent support for the law enforcement professionals enforcing our laws and keeping our communities safe.

Trump recently won the endorsement of many police organizations, including this publication, which represents more than 800,000 law enforcement officers nationally.

This is particularly significant in light of the many endorsements of President Obama in 2008 and 2012.

As our nation’s men and women in blue watch the news, many are justifiably horrified.

In New York City, a protester attacked a law enforcement officer with a wooden object, instigating an "all-out brawl" between police officers and protesters armed with wooden bats. Meanwhile, many Democratic elected officials are siding with the mob, supporting efforts to defund or outright abolish local law enforcement agencies and police departments.

Trump, on the other hand, has taken decisive action to protect America’s history and heritage, directing Attorney General William "Bill" Barr (as one example) to prosecute those who damage historical monuments and assault our officers in uniform.

The president has also actively fought for and secured passage of numerous bills to provide support to our men and women in uniform.

Trump’s advocacy for the Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act is one example of the actions he has taken on behalf of police. During his first year in office, Trump aggressively pushed for Congress to pass this law, which seeks to ensure that our men and women in blue have access to quality mental health treatment if necessary; this is a recognition of the reality that an officer’s mental health is just as critical as their physical health.

Additionally, Trump signed legislation making the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund permanent, appropriating $7.4 billion to benefit the police officers, firefighters and other first responders who sacrificed their own health and safety to save lives on Sept. 11, 2001.

Our nation's 45th president recognizes that these heroes deserve to be rewarded for their courage, not forced to bear the costs of treating medical conditions related to their selfless actions.

Trump has also revitalized the Project Safe Neighborhoods program geared toward reducing violent crime. This initiative seeks to reduce violent crime by coordinating federal, state, tribal and local law enforcement to "develop comprehensive solutions" for reducing violent crime. The revitalized PSN has already made great strides, with Attorney General Barr proclaiming the initiative a "major success."

Donald J. Trump's record of defending law and order and supporting our nation’s law enforcement officers is not only extensive, it's indisputable. On the other hand, and at the opposite end of the spectrum, Joe Biden’s rhetoric makes it abundantly clear that he represents an existential threat to public safety, that is if he ever makes it to the Oval Office.

I ask that every officer in our great country take a moment to think and who supports law enforcement and who is worthy of your vote. Let’s send President Trump back to the White House for another four years.

Congratulations to President Trump for being awarded Blue Magazine’s 2020 Man of the Year. You are most deserving of this award.

As New York City’s 40th Police Commissioner, Bernard Kerik was in command of the NYPD on September 11, 2001, and responsible for the city’s response, rescue, recovery, and the investigative efforts of the most substantial terror attack in world history. His 35-year career has been recognized in more than 100 awards for meritorious and heroic service, including a presidential commendation for heroism by President Ronald Reagan, two Distinguished Service Awards from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, The Ellis Island Medal of Honor, and an appointment as Honorary Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Trump’s Support For Police Is Undying. Meanwhile, His Opponent's Support is Mediocre.

By David A. Clarke Jr., Sheriff (Ret.) Milwaukee County

www.flickr.com

During my nearly 40 years serving my community from a beat patrol officer working the graveyard shift as it was called, and ending it as the elected sheriff of Milwaukee County, there were several things you could count on as sure as the sun rising in the east and setting in the west. One was that criminals would do what criminals do: commit crime. Another was that law-abiding people wanted to feel safe in their neighborhoods, in their homes and they wanted their children to be safe at school. Police officers have always had the support of the people they served. They still do, and in big numbers.

According to a recent poll by noted pollster Scott Rasmussen, 80% of registered voters agreed that policing is a “noble profession” and that police, “dedicate their lives to upholding the law and protecting the sacred rights of their fellow citizens,” and that they should be shown ”support and respect” for the work they do. A recent Gallup poll of black Americans showed the same support. That poll shows an overwhelming number of black Americans, 81%, support either the same amount or an increased amount of police presence in their neighborhoods. That is a far cry from how police have been slandered in the drive-by liberal media. I challenge anyone reading here to show that level of support for anything in any poll in our deeply divided country.

Once upon a time there was another group whose support police could rely on. They once could trust that politicians as a whole backed the police. It was important to have law enforcement endorsement at election time. If you didn’t have it and your opponent did, voters took note of that. Unfortunately, however, the political class has gotten into bed with the devil as I like to say.  They have cuddled up with groups who hate and despise law enforcement officers and agencies. These groups publicly demonize cops. Even activist prosecutors are now shamefully and with no legal basis making politically motivated decisions on police use of force. The people of ANTIFA and the Marxist organization called Black Lives Matter (BLM) not only both call for the killing of police officers and the overthrow of the US government. They attack police, show up at their homes and terrorize their families. After two Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies were shot in an ambush attack as they sat in their cruisers, these low lifes identifying as BLM showed up at the hospital they were transported to, blocked the entrance and cheered for them to die. Now it has been taken to a new level as law enforcement officers are literally being gunned down in the streets. The response from the political class, mainly from, let’s be honest, notable Democrats to the violence against police has been tepid at best. Their silence is deafening. Their silence speaks volumes. A survey taken several years ago ranking the trustworthiness of 20 professions had law enforcement ranked number two behind only the military at number one. Politicians in the same survey were ranked number 19 ahead of only used car salesmen.

Enter President Donald J. Trump.

President Trump from the day he rode down the escalator at Trump Tower to announce his candidacy made it very clear that he was going to be the law and order candidate. From that day forward, he has spoken unambiguously about his support for the police. It is the police who defend law and order in keeping our communities safe from the ravages of criminals. He has defended this profession against the smears of the cop-hating crowd. He has spoken out against the inane idea of defunding and abolishing police when local government politicians go along with the idea. At the Republican National Convention, he picked me to deliver a prime-time speech on Make America Safe Again night where I called for him to be elected the 45th President of the United States because of his full-throated support for this profession. And he hasn’t stopped. And he’s being rewarded.

Recently, several large law enforcement organizations have announced their endorsement for President Trump’s re-election. The Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), with a reported membership of 330,000 law enforcement officers and 2,200 local chapters has announced their support for Trump’s re-election, as has the National Organization of Police Associations and the International Union of Police Associations (IUPA). Others have as well like the New York City Police Benevolent Association (PBA) the largest police union in the world. Other small to mid-size police unions have joined in, like the Milwaukee (Wisconsin) Police Association (MPA). It was very telling during the first presidential debate of 2020 when after stating that he had the support of most police organizations like the FOP and IUPA, President Trump turned toward Joe Biden and asked him directly to name one police group that endorsed his candidacy and Biden stood their speechless with that deer in the headlights stare not being able to name even one. Keep in mind that Joe Biden early on said that he supported defunding the police before he saw how it hurt him politically in polling. Then, like a chameleon changes its color, Biden changed his mind. That is typical political behavior-expedient and self-serving. Behavior you cannot count on in this critical time for law enforcement.

Is it any wonder politicians ended up second to last only above used car salesmen in a survey of trustworthy professions?

I know that a few officers disagree with the endorsement of their unions. But it’s go time. My advice is to put the survival and best interest of this profession ahead of any personal agenda. It makes President Trump the right choice. It is one team, one goal time.

Sheriff David Clarke Jr. is former Sheriff of Milwaukee Co, Wisconsin, President of AmericasSheriff LLC, Board member of the Crime Research Center, author of the book Cop Under Fire: Beyond Hashtags of Race Crime and Politics for a Better America. To learn more visit www.americassheriff.com

George Floyd: Was It Murder? ‘What Happened is Different Than What Most People Think.’

By: Lt. Patrick J. Ciser (ret.)

What happened to George Floyd in Minneapolis at the hands of his arresting officer should never have happened. But what did happen is different than what most people think. It appeared to many that Officer Derek Chauvin displayed malice toward Mr. Floyd, and even made it seem personal; but did he?  Chauvin knelt on the side of Floyd’s neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds as he lay on the ground. One or two days later, we found out that Floyd and Chauvin knew each other from working security at an area restaurant/club. Floyd worked inside, while Chauvin worked outside, and only time will tell if there was any friction between the men prior to Floyd’s arrest.

As I watched the viral video, it initially appeared to me that perhaps Chauvin was “teaching Floyd a lesson,” due to the duration of the event. So I watched the video a few times more in an effort to understand what the officer was doing exactly, and what concerns he may have had about the suspect. Understand that Floyd was a very large man at 6’7” and must have weighed 280 lbs. or more. His sheer size, coupled with the fact that Chauvin knew him and may have known about his violent past and criminal history, could explain why Chauvin had no interest in letting him up until the ambulance arrived.

We’ve all been taught that a knee on the side of a suspect’s neck will ensure that the suspect will not be able to stand and become combative. According to media reports, Floyd initially resisted officers’ efforts to put him in the back of the squad car, as he reportedly claimed that he was claustrophobic and couldn’t breathe. This, while standing and under little duress.  Floyd, an ex-con, was also found to be under the influence of narcotics, as per the state autopsy report, which may have affected his state of mind.

Being a retired cop and teaching martial arts my entire life, I do not believe that it ever occurred to Officer Chauvin that his actions would lead to the death of Mr. Floyd. The biggest reason is because he knew he was being recorded on a witness’ cellphone.The other reason is that it is unlikely that a knee on the side of somebody’s neck would kill them, which can easily be demonstrated by two volunteers in a court of law. Many of us have used this technique to control a suspect, but usually not for an extended period of time.

What was disturbing about his actions, however, was that he didn’t react to George Floyd’s plea that he couldn’t breathe while also calling “Mama,” which was definitely a sign that he was in distress. So many LEO’s across the country would’ve at that point, had we been there, told Chauvin to ease up on the knee. So why didn’t the three officers there intercede? Were they a bit fearful of the 19-year veteran, or the very large suspect? Mr. Floyd died of a heart attack, the state autopsy concluded, while ruling out asphyxiation. Also, I’m still not convinced that there was a racial element involved unless we see some real evidence that I’m not aware of at trial.  Problem is, Chauvin already has been tried and convicted by the media, and 90% of America.  Ever want to knock out an asshole, or an unruly criminal?  Doesn’t really matter what race they are, you just wanna knock ‘em out (although we usually don’t). Interesting that when a black cop kills a white guy, no one ever yells RACISM! And let’s not forget that more whites are killed by cops in America than blacks are, and that’s with 47-50% of the crimes being committed by blacks.  Floyd did five years for a home invasion, where he pressed a gun into a pregnant woman’s stomach while demanding drugs and money. Chauvin may have “had Floyd’s number” and had good reason not to like or trust the guy.  As a result, maybe he wasn’t taking any chances letting him up, especially if the very large George Floyd seemed agitated. We all know that if we’re dealing with an EDP (Emotionally Disturbed Person), protocol dictates that we try to keep them calm until the ambulance or mental health experts arrive.

As far as the riots are concerned, weak politicians do us all a disservice and never learn lessons from the past, including the Ferguson and Dallas riots, when they don’t allow us to do our jobs. What’s happening here, however, is on a much larger scale that we haven’t seen since 1968. Cities are burning all across America, and protests are taking place overseas; but why? It’s because Black Lives Matter, Antifa (antifascists that are actually fascists), and other Marxist groups, were waiting for just a moment like this to join forces. They grew strong during the Obama years, and with frustration over the COVID-19 lockdowns, along with “Trump Derangement Syndrome” these probably were contributing factors in stoking the flames.

The planning of these attacks across the country seemed to be more coordinated than we’ve seen in the past, including pallets of bricks being delivered to many downtown areas in our cities. Trucks were seen, and recorded, pulling up with pre-made protest signs and shields as well. In a protest, you hold a sign; in a riot, you throw a brick, bottle, or even a Molotov cocktail. Antifa, made up of mostly “progressive” white guys and gals, only want to cause anarchy and bring down capitalist America, they don’t give a shit about George Floyd. They used his death as the “spark” needed for civil disobedience and destruction. Reminds me of the Weather Underground of the ‘70s, setting off bombs in major cities.

Cops can’t win the war of words or facts while the liberal media and Democrat politicians are so incredibly biased against us. If they were honest, they could simply put up stats and case studies proving what an outstanding job police officers are doing every day under incredible stress. It seems that they dwell on sensationalism at our expense. The truth is, cops of all races in our inner cities have been saving black youths for years, and in most cases, from other blacks. Stay strong Brothers and Sisters, as we all need each other today more than ever. Oh, and stop kneeling already!!

‘They Made Him Watch As They Killed His 10-year-old Daughter in Front Of Him.’ Exclusive Interview: Hunting Down Pablo Escobar.

When it comes to television shows, I’m very picky. I keep a watchful eye out for flaws, inconsistencies, unlikely coincidences- anything that will make me shun the show and give up on it.

But every once I while I come across a gem that is perfect in every way. And that show is Netflix’s “Narcos.”

“Narcos” is the true story of the DEA’s hunt for the world’s first narco-trafficker- Pablo Escobar, one of the most ruthless drug lords in modern history.

The Blue Magazine sat down in a Zoom interview with the two retired lead DEA agents responsible for hunting Escobar: Steve Murphy and Javier Pena. They were both portrayed in the hit series and now the Blue readers get to hear the real story of hunting down Escobar.

We discussed everything from the accuracy of “Narcos,” the extreme right-wing group Los Pepes, their new book Manhunters: How We Took Down Pablo Escobar and much more.

The first thing I wanted to know was the show’s accuracy.

Javier Pena tells Blue, “I tell people that the chronology is pretty accurate on the show; the timeline, the assassination, a lot of the major events -- but the producers have to make it interesting.”

And interesting it was. The series was so successful, it led to a third fictional season and a spin-off series, “Narcos: Mexico” (which is just as thrilling by the way).

Javier’s character in the series was pretty bad-ass; a booze-chugging womanizer who threw policy and morality right out of the window. But I wondered how accurate that was, especially considering his role as a law enforcer.

Javier said, “If that were all true, I’d be getting out of prison right about now.The executive producer called me up and says ‘We know you’re not dirty, but we’re going to make you out to be a little bit on the dirty side -- working with Los Pepes, killing people and all the affairs -- I do wish all the affairs were true.” Javier laughed.

Steve tells Blue, “Second thing was the violence. As bad as it was in the Narcos series, in real life, it was much, much worse.”

If you google how many deaths was Escobar responsible for, it will say 4,000. But as any patrolman walking the beat knows, the situation on the frontlines is far different than what upper brass realize.

Steve said, “We attribute 15, maybe 20 thousand murders to Escobar. Popeye, Escobar’s main sicario, says that number is more like 50 thousand people.”

That’s a lot of souls.

Among the most well-known atrocities Escobar orchestrated were blowing up a commercial airliner that killed over 100 people in an attempt to assassinate a presidential candidate.

The other gruesome incident involved a bus loaded with 500 kilos of dynamite that destroyed a city block and also killed over 100 people.

“The chassis of the bus was found on a building a couple of blocks away. A perfect example of Escobar’s viciousness.” Steve continued, “If Pablo wanted to kill you, he would not only come after you, he come up to your wife, your children, your parents, anybody that he could find associated with you!”

Escobar was not afraid to spend money to further his agenda … and his ruthless style.

Javier said, “Escobar put a bounty on police officers and another 15-year-old thug nonchalantly said to me ‘I’ve already killed 10 police officers, at a hundred bucks a head, I get paid at the end of the day.’ That’s the attitude the sicarios had … multiply that by 500 sicarios!”

With all that violence and death Steve and Javier were embroiled in, one would have to assume their daily job was extremely dangerous.

According to Steve, “You had to travel with your gun to your chest ready to engage targets because two riders on a motorcycle was one of their favorite ways to assassinate people.”

And Javier said, “One of the most dangerous parts were the car bombs … a lot of cops got killed because of them. We passed by and a couple missed us, but you hear that noise, that bomb, that sound -- that was the scariest part.”

Steve and Javier were not alone. In addition to the Colombian national police force, they were working with US military special operations, Navy SEALs and Delta Force. But much like police work today, politics got in the way of the mission.

Steve tells Blue, “If Delta and SEALs have been allowed to do the job and go out of base, we firmly believe that we would have had Escobar captured or dead in less than three months, but politics got in the way. The bureaucracy cost thousands of people their lives.”

Javier adds, “We had him located several times, and we’d go in helicopters- the only way in jungles- but people would warn him. He heard the noise. We would get there and his coffee was still warm. We barely missed him so many times.”

Los Pepes (persecuted by Pablo Escobar)

The subject of Los Pepes was unavoidable.

After Escobar killed his closest partner and friend, Kiko Moncada, his wife, Judy Moncada teamed up with Don Burnas and created Los Pepes -- an extreme right-wing vigilante group. Los Pepes’ main objective was to kill Pablo Escobar and everyone he was associated with.

Los Pepes were funded by Escobar’s rival, the Cali cartel; and they were just as ruthless as Escobar. They were quite effective because they didn’t fall under the morality of the legal system.

But there was another reason they were successful. According to Steve, the attorney general of Colombia assigned Don Burnas to help them after Escobar killed Kiko Moncada.

Steve said, “We went to Colonel Martinez and said, ‘Who is this guy (Don Burnas)?’ But he was authorized to work with us and the Search Bloc.”

Javier then said, “Los Pepes is one of those sore spots. Don Burnas was helping us out with intelligence. However, we did not know he was setting off a lot of bombs, trying to kill Escobar and his family.”

“Everyone else knew who Don Burnas was except us. After Escobar’s death, we found out he was the head of Los Pepes! That was very eye opening when I found out because they are stone cold killers. I’m sure they would’ve had no problem putting a bullet in our heads because they’ve done it to a lot of other people!” Steve said.

Mexican Cartels
The focus of the current war on drugs has moved to Mexican cartels, which are just as brutal as in the days of Escobar’s reign.

Javier said, “We’ve all seen the photos of bodies hanging off bridges … when they kill people … the heads being rolled onto a dance floor. They’re vicious but I think the Colombians were more violent.” Javier continued, “They [Mexican cartels] caught a guy stealing dope from them. They had his whole family in a room, the 10-year-old daughter … they made him watch, they opened his eyes, killed her in front of him.”

Steve added, “Some of the Mexican authorities that we work with later in our careers, former attorney general down there has been indicted here in the United States for taking millions and millions of dollars in payoffs from the drug traffickers in Mexico. It’s one of the most horrendous situations in the world right now.”

Drugs still continue to cross into the United States, but there is a plan in place to curtail drug smuggling -- going after the traffickers and the people who support it. But as any law enforcement officer knows, you can never stop the flow of drugs. As long as there is money to be made, crafty criminals will find a way to get it.

Steve Murphy and Javier Pena are both retired from the DEA and now spend their time doing interviews, public speaking engagements and promoting their book Manhunters: How We Took Down Pablo Escobar.

You can get in on the action. For a limited time, you can order a signed, personalized copy of their book by visiting their website, www.DEAnarcos.com . To see the full unedited Zoom interview with Steve and Javier, go to www.eddiemolina.com

Eddie Molina is a leadership professional, blogger and author. He writes articles for the law enforcement, military and first responder community to keep them informed on important issues. For more information go to www.eddiemolina.com

DISARM OFFICERS: U.S. SEN. ED MARKEY (D) OF MASSACHUSETTS. THE WAY FORWARD REMAINS A MYSTERY.

By: Joel E. Gordon

I really think we needed to have a plan moving forward - and I was disappointed that didn’t happen. - Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best (ret.)

What a challenging time we find ourselves in.

During the last many months and years, the trust people have placed in every level of government has diminished. Many new plans and restrictions are being proposed in an attempt to hold police accountable. Where however, are the plans to hold those for criminal acts and all of the chaos and destruction accountable? Where are the plans to reduce the violence? Where are the plans to improve community relations instead using such divisive measures that only serve to portray police as the enemy? Crickets…

So who are the people that are mostly proposing plans for reform and police oversight? Is it professionals with extensive knowledge of the law, a perspective on the evolution of law enforcement and of the job itself? No, instead in many communities it is comprised of politicians and ordinary citizens with anti-police agendas; facts be damned.  Would you want a committee of non-medical people organized to monitor doctors or non-educational persons to educate educators?  Maybe there should be a committee of non-aviation people to tell pilots how to fly aircraft? 

Take, for example, U.S. Senator Ed Markey (D) of Massachusetts weighing in on matters concerning the riot-ravaged city of Portland Oregon (over 3,000 miles away from Massachusetts,) he tweeted: “Portland police routinely attack peaceful protestors with brute force. We must disarm these officers, and every other police department in America, of weapons of war, and enact a nationwide ban on tear gas, rubber and plastic bullets, and bean bag rounds.” Was Markey seriously advocating the disarming of police, just days after the attempted assignation of two Los Angeles police officers?

Law Enforcement has evolved from a Reactionary Policing model to Proactive Policing to Community Policing to Broken Windows Theory to Intelligence Lead Policing into Evidence Based Policing. Evidence Based Policing is subjective and is the brainchild of academia. It makes judgments on outcomes opening the door to many unresolved contradictory ideas which routinely override long established mandates for diversity and opportunity for personal growth and promotion. Since subjective to the whims of political correctness many unintended consequences are resulting in an environment which is untenable to the newer generation of law enforcement leaders who were, in fact, in many cases born of the culture of the importance of the diversity philosophy.

The Great Escape: EVOLUTION TO EXODUS
Ever watched dominoes falling in real time? The sad reality is that many in law enforcement are throwing in the towel and just can't take it anymore.  The pressure of the job and sudden pivot away from decades old reforms for diversity, increased training with community policing and de-escalation techniques being replaced by a cry for sweeping defunding have resulted in reevaluation of many considering entering the profession along with resignations of many tenured and highly respected law enforcement leaders, a substantial number of which who identified as minority professionals who successfully worked their way up the ranks. From Dallas to Seattle to an entire command staff in Rochester New York along with many other chiefs nationwide, the time to move out of law enforcement has come on the heels of their defiance against those with an anti-police mindset, ideology and agenda.

Will this result in more feckless police leadership remaining in office or in being hired who will be willing to put their officers in unsafe, retreating or defenseless positions at the behest of those lacking sufficient knowledge to make informed or rational judgments? Society can’t reasonably expect law enforcement to succumb to violence without responding in such a fashion as to protect the very lives of the protectors themselves. No one signed up to be physically harmed by becoming a law enforcement officer. Although the job remains largely one of regulating human behavior, the desire to help others continues to be the driving motivational force and reason that many answer the calling to keep the peace.

The bottom line appears to be that regardless of the current preferred model of policing practiced, the diversity achieved within agencies or the high level of professional training implemented, the idea that the police are unwanted (until needed for selfish or individual safety reasons) has become the guiding principle of those politicians holding the power of life and death over our future.

The way forward remains a mystery. I have long professed that we must reject an "us versus them" mentality. In this current environment, through the actions of many others, it is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain this mindset. The truth remains, however, we are all in this TOGETHER. Unfortunately though, if things continue on their current trajectory this clearly isn’t going to end well.

BOLO: THE NEW MULTI-MEDIA SITE, LAW ENFORCEMENT NEWS NETWORK.

By: Lori Cooper

A multi-media news network created for cops by cops, officially named Law Enforcement News Network (www.lawenforcementnewsnetwork.com), will be launched over the next 30 days.

Retired 34-year veteran law enforcement officer Randy Sutton, along with fellow retired law enforcement officers Ray Dietrich and Ryan Mason, have collaborated for a common purpose to solve a problem long plaguing our country: combating the limited scope of law enforcement news by mainstream media and the false narratives reported by these news organizations about our law enforcement officers and communities.

Many law enforcement officers and civilians alike know Randy Sutton as a household name and commentator for national news networks, with a large social media presence, his various shows on streaming television apps, and his Blue Lives Radio Program on the America Out Loud Network, among other programs. The nonprofit organization he founded in 2019, The Wounded Blue (www.TheWoundedBlue.org), is the national organization for injured and disabled law enforcement officers and is saving lives every day.  

Add to the mix the outstanding service of the retired law enforcement officer from California in Ray Dietrich, who also has 2 million followers across a dozen or more social media platforms and streaming television channels. Lastly, add Ryan Mason, another retired law enforcement officer who is no stranger to the business of multi-media, with over 21 publications to his credit.  "The 3 R's" in Randy Sutton, Ray Dietrich, and Ryan Mason have become their own "force" in the development of their media brand based on factual, impartial, and unbiased news called True Blue News," according to founder Randy Sutton.

Sutton indicated that there is really "only one way to report real law enforcement news, and that is to involve yourself on the ground, or, essentially, to go undercover," which is what he and Mason did on several occasions in the city of Portland. Out of those undercover experiences came a Special Report created and developed by Sutton and Mason, with a working title of "Siege of Portland," and it will be aired on the Streaming Television Channel of the Law Enforcement News Network in the days to come. Sadly, Sutton reported that "Portland Law Enforcement Officers view this whole situation as a monumental failure of leadership and politics at its worst.” According to Ryan, he and Sutton were unable to connect with the chief of police there, and both have stated their calls to the district attorney and the mayor of Portland have gone unreturned.

Dietrich says that the Law Enforcement News Network will be a site everyone can visit free of charge and to which they can subscribe. Their online news segment will be launched first, with the eventual goal to have live news reported five days a week. All of the programs already being aired and hosted by Dietrich and Sutton will be moved over to the Law Enforcement News Network, creating an immediate viewing audience of 2 million followers.

Finally, Dietrich explained one of the greatest accomplishments that will come out of this new network is the Use-of-Force expert who will be able to break down bodycam footage worn by officers in this country in controversial shootings or use-of-force cases, something no network has ever done. Ray Dietrich noted that part of the problems which have created the chaos and rioting in this country is related to incorrect information from an officer's bodycam on which the mainstream media has reported, without any law enforcement expert actually interpreting the actions of the officer. Dietrich explained how use of force cannot often be avoided, only compounding the false narratives of some of the more recent cases we've seen that have contributed to the civil unrest and destruction across this country. "We're going to combat that," Dietrich said very emphatically. "We're going to dispel myths and eliminate the unnecessary outrage of the American people who haven't been given information that is an accurate interpretation or assessment as to why certain circumstances or incidents have resulted in an officer's use-of-force. We're going to have our expert demonstrate that what sometimes looks awful is actually lawful," Dietrich cited.

A press release will be issued to all media outlets about the launch date of the Law Enforcement News Network, where along with the BLUE magazine and thebluemagazine.com cops and supporters can now have more  safe places to receive all of their law enforcement-related news. A separate release will be issued for the Special Presentation of "Siege of Portland," a film no American will want to miss.

Lori Cooper is a published writer and the daughter of a late Columbus, Ohio police officer shot in the line of duty and whose killer eluded authorities for 44 years until her own search resulted in his apprehension. Her story, featured by hundreds of news organizations, catapulted her to success as an expert law enforcement advocate, where she now writes for law enforcement media groups and is a highly-acclaimed guest on national radio and television. An Ohio University Social Studies Major, she is writing a book about her story, tentatively titled THE SOUND OF SILENCE. She can be reached at www.WriterLoriCooper.com.

Chief David Dorn's Life Mattered. The Bloody Cross: Tribute to Chief Dorn.

By: Kirk Lawless

On 23 June 2019 I watched the live-streamed death of Police Officer Michael Langsdorf, murdered in the line of duty because he was a cop doing his job. It broke my heart as I watched his blood pool beneath him and saw him take his last breath on the floor of a convenience store in North Saint Louis County.   I prayed I would never see such a thing again.

Exactly 345 days later, on June 2, 2020 at 2:30 a.m., I saw the exact same thing again, this time played out on the hard concrete of a Saint Louis City sidewalk, when retired St. Louis Metropolitan Police Captain and former Moline Acres Police Chief David Dorn was murdered while checking a friend’s pawnshop, as he often did when the burglar alarm went off.

Someone started recording right after Dave got shot.  A friend texted and the text read, “They just shot Dave!” I have many police friends and several are named Dave, so I made a phone call and learned that it was Dave Dorn, and there was a video of either the actual shooting or the aftermath of it. 

I found it.  I shouldn’t have watched it, but the “once a cop, always a cop” in me made me hit the play arrow and it started.  I did not expect the video to start with a brother cop’s face, a man I knew and considered a friend, as the first thing I saw. I stopped it and took a deep breath and started it again.

My heart has been broken on the job many times, and here it was about to be broken again. Oh yeah, there was audio as well.  Dave was lying on his back. His eyes wide open, arms out at his sides, like Jesus on the cross. His cellphone was in his left hand, the screen still lit.  Clutched in his right hand, in the shadows, up against the pawnshop building was his pistol.  My blood was boiling and I found myself once again, in a dark, dark place (where I spend quality time) and I was awash in rage.  Dave was not dead yet, although he was obviously dying.  Like Michael Langsdorf’s death scene, I could see Dave’s blood pooling beneath him.  He was fighting to stay alive and I could see him trying to catch his breath, the only movement was the short rising and falling of his chest, and the shifting of his eyes.  I wept.  I knew that by the time I was watching the video, our Heavenly father had already taken Dave home.  I was reminded of that because of one simple thing that stood out when I first hit play, his blood.

The scene was chaotic and still in motion, there was broken glass everywhere, on the street, on the sidewalk, on the stoop of the pawnshop, but there was the blood. There was plenty of blood.  This may sound odd, but hear me out. Even though I saw Dave’s blood flowing from beneath his body, I felt an immediate sense of calm and comfort that I have never felt before when I saw blood.  I’ve seen buckets of the stuff during a long career, blood of victims, blood of enemies, blood of friends, blood of other cops, some I knew, some I didn’t know, and I’ve even seen my own blood.  This time it was different. Dave’s blood, as it flowed from an unseen wound, began to fill the expansion joints in the sidewalk and as it crept further into the cracks and into the first “T’ and continued on its journey, it formed a cross.

That bloody cross soothed my mind for a minute and reminded me of why I became a cop.  It was probably why Dave became a cop and probably why most of us became cops.  We become cops because we are helpers and we were brought up to do the right thing and “being the cops” is a calling.

I was still pissed off that Dave had been murdered and that he had been murdered over televisions and whatever ill-gotten gains could be pilfered from a closed pawnshop! I though black lives mattered? Dave happened to be black, so explain that to me?

There were thieves coming in and out of the pawnshop, crunching across the shattered glass that was everywhere, the bandits screaming and yelling at each other. It was a like a Mad Hatter’s tea party, except with guns, looting and murder!

The person filming the death scene, whether he intended to do it or not, provided those with trained eyes plenty of intelligence that was ultimately seen by the homicide detectives of the SLMPD tasked with solving Dave’s murder.

I watched and re-watched the video, probably 50 times.  I listened to the commentary.  Whether it was real or bullshit, prayers, “Hang in there, OG!”

“Did somebody call an ambulance?” 

“Hang in there, OG. Help is on the way,” the faceless voice said to Dave, as he was still taking his last breaths. A little later he said,

“He gone. Rest in peace OG.”

The person filming scanned the crowd and started yelling, “Don’t go back in that store, cuz. Y’all  (expletive deleted) killed some old man over some TVs?  You just killed somebody’s granddaddy!”

He told some other folks who were with him, “Don’t let nobody back in that store”

I saw the faces in the crowd.  I haven’t heard the official word on who the suspected shooter was in relation to the faces I saw as the camera panned the crowd, but I’m pretty sure I picked the right guy. He got a little aggressive with the cameraman.  I couldn’t hear what he said but the cameraman’s response was, “What, you gonna pop me too, Cuz?”   The dreadlock wearing young man was wearing a black T-shirt with a Jamaican style and color graphic on the front.  He had a bandage on his left hand and I’d bet he had a handgun in his waistband beneath that shirt, as he was protective of it and it appeared to have some heft to it, given the position of his clothing. He was passively aggressive, but he looked as though he really wanted to get into that pawnshop, but was unsure if he should try, given the warning given to him by the cameraman and his friends.  My money is on him being the murderer.

Later in the video, someone placed a blue blanket over Dave, covering his face.  Appropriate that it was blue, but had it been placed there out of respect while the camera was not pointed in that direction, or was there another reason?  Thinking my mind might have been playing tricks on me, I watched the video again and again.  My mind wasn’t playing tricks on me. One minute Dave had his “Thumper” in his right hand, and the next as if by feat of prestidigitation, “Poof!” Dave’s pistol was gone!  So, not only did someone murder the man in cold blood, they stole his gun from him while he lay dying, or after he had died.  It takes a special kind of criminal to steal something from a dead or dying man’s hand.

So was the blanket just part of an act? What else did they steal from him, his watch, jewelry, badge and wallet?  There were way too many folks milling around gawking at Dave and the pawnshop and the entire scene, but there was plenty of video evidence.  We’ll hear the rest of the story further on down the road.  But, still I can’t stop seeing the cross of blood.  That’s OK. It serves as a reminder for all of us who are cops.  We are always cops and we are everywhere! On June 7th the SLMPD arrested Dave’s killer and several men captured on surveillance video from inside the pawnshop.

I noticed that Dave was wearing a police T-shirt while lay dying, emblazoned with the silhouette of blue policemen and the words, “Whose streets? Our streets!”

No doubt these were your streets, Captain Dave Dorn! You died protecting them. “That’s a good man, right there! Rest easy, brother.”

Must Reads for SWAT and Counter Terror Operators. Knowledge Will Save Your Life.

By: Ron Camacho

In 1905, famed philosopher, author, literary and cultural critic, George Santayana, warned us that “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it” (The Life of Reason: Reason in Common Sense. Scribner's, 1905: 284).

In short, Santayana’s message is simply to “Never Forget.” Indeed, these words have resounded through history to remind us of many human tragedies. They serve as a last bastion of preparedness and prevention; a bugle call to never let them happen again. Jews in the diaspora of Israel, and elsewhere, use the term to remember the unconscionable events of the Holocaust. Americans say them as reminders of the horrific 9/11 terror attacks. Drive around any neighborhood in the United States and you will still see this “call to arms” on flags, T-shirts, and car stickers, serving as a constant reminder to honor those who have died in attacks that are a blight on humanity. Unfortunately, we do forget. Maybe we haven’t yet forgotten the Holocaust or 9/11, but certainly many other attacks on schools, hospitals, and other civilian targets have faded into the recesses of our minds. Though we may have forgotten, the education, training, and knowledge of bellwether events are still there for law enforcement and security personnel to use. These exist in the writings and teachings of one man. These sources serve as reminders of all that have come before, and to help us be prepared for these incidents when they return. That person is author, terrorism expert and university professor Dr. John Giduck.

For those of us in law enforcement agencies and school and hospital security departments who are every day called upon to be ready to race into the worst hell imaginable to save our most innocent from all manner of threats, we must study the events history has given us. We cannot be condemned to repeat the mistakes of those who came before us; for if we do, our students, medical professionals and staff today are condemned to be added to the losses of the innocent victims of years past. But just what are those losses? In the Modern Era of Terrorism, which began in July 1968, schools, universities and hospitals the world over have been consistently targeted. And they have been targeted by more than just committed terrorists. In the US and other countries, we see more and more socially produced predators selecting them as targets, seeking to kill those found inside in the greatest possible numbers.

In his first book, Terror at Beslan, Dr. Giduck begins by offering us an in-depth understanding of terrorism and tactics. He skillfully uses an investigative “boots on the ground” method combined with an academic approach to document this horrific terror attack on a school in Russia, where Islamist terrorism uses targets as dress rehearsals for other nations. Yet, Beslan was not the first documented terror attack on a school. On May 15, 1974, in Ma’alot, Israel, Palestinian terrorists attacked a school, where they killed 26 hostages, 23 of whom were children. Those numbers paled in comparison with Beslan, which saw 314 teachers, parents, and children killed; 186 under the age of 18. In addition to being able to go onsite to the Ma’alot school with Israeli special forces, Giduck was able to gain access to the Beslan school in the immediate aftermath of the military rescue operation. He took eyewitness accounts of the siege, and was even able to interview Russian commandos who assaulted the school as well as review Russian government reports on the incident. Due to his ability to speak and read Russian, Giduck was able to do an in-depth examination of the attack and reconstruct what the terrorist plans were during the school takeover. This was not the first time terrorists in Russia used a hostage-siege as a tactic. In June 1995, Chechen terrorists stormed the city of Budyonovsk and ultimately took over a hospital for days, then repeated that attack at another hospital in the city of Kizlyar in January 1996. These were not just Chechen attacks, but Al-Qaeda planned and funded terror operations. Ask any American hospital administrator or director of security if he has ever heard of Budyonovsk or Kizlyar, or understands the significance these two cities have on the safety and security of our own facilities, and the answer will most likely be “no.” The death tolls at Budyonovsk and Kizlyar did not reach the levels at Beslan, however, as Giduck writes that “Beslan is where the terrorists perfected mass-hostage siege tactics.”

Terror at Beslan gets inside the minds of the terrorists, hostages, and rescue forces. It is a primer for all law enforcement and security personnel on what to expect during a terrorist-initiated school takeover. Not only did Giduck fervently write this informative book, he also conducted presentations and debriefings, that ranged 4 to 8 hours, for police officers, college and school staffs, safety officials and the military. In these debriefings, Giduck broke down the main points of what occurred at Beslan, often leaving his audience stunned while describing the horrifying actions that occurred before, during, and after the rescue attempt. In his many briefings, Giduck would tell audiences to imagine what would occur in the United States if an elementary school were seized and over 300 people, of whom 200 were children, were killed. Giduck said, “Life as we know it would never be the same. Parents would refuse to send their kids to school.”

Dave Acosta, a national authority on school shootings and author of the book Victims No More! wrote this about Terror at Beslan: “It chronicled the events of the world’s worst school shooting. John pleaded for us to be vigilant, to acknowledge that something like this can happen here in the US. It inspired me to work hard to find a solution that would save lives.”

This is not the last time Giduck would share his extensive knowledge on the subject of school shootings or terrorist tactics.

After the November 2008 terror attack in Mumbai, India, Giduck and retired Chester, PA Police Chief Joe Bail traveled there to dissect this tragic, yet important event. The terrorists had evolved their methods and the results showed that a small group of well-armed militants was able to paralyze a city and hold it hostage for four days, killing 174 and wounding more than 300. Giduck and Bail were able to walk the grounds of the multiple bloody attack sites, take pictures and examine them with a critical eye. They were looking at the sites from the terrorists’ point of view with the goal of intimately accessing the attackers’ mindset. For many in the West, this would be their introduction to the terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), the Army of the Righteous, but for the Indian Security Forces this was a well-known, active, and deadly enemy, one that had also partnered with Al Qaeda. As with the Chechens and Beslan, this attack was their announcement to the world that they had joined the global jihad. Once again, due to his reputation and contacts, Dr. Giduck was able to secure interviews with Indian special forces commanders who executed rescue operations. The information gleaned by his onsite examinations, along with the various interviews that were conducted, were then organized and put into an excellent, detailed, presentation. This training was used to educate the same audiences (law enforcement, security, and military) along with additional hospital, hotel and railway personnel, since these attacks exposed vulnerabilities in all aforementioned fields.

The extensive research Giduck and his teams conducted at Beslan, Mumbai, and other terror events across the world led to him developing a clear picture of terrorist methodology, particularly regarding the tactic of mass-hostage sieges. All of that work was provided to us in detail in his book When Terror Returns.

When Terror Returns is like having the NFL playbook of the opposing team. The book gives the reader a complete understanding of what actually goes on in the mind of a terrorist, particularly when engaged in mass-hostage siege attacks. When Terror Returns clearly demonstrates terrorist methodology, tactics, and strategy for taking over schools, universities, hospitals, hotels, malls or any combination of the listed locations. Giduck recognized and reported on the Six-Phase Mass Hostage Siege Model to describe, step by step, what the terrorists’ actions are and how the first responders and rescue forces can identify these activities. If first responders can recognize that a mass-hostage siege is taking place, they can quickly take steps to mitigate it, albeit a difficult task. Speed and forceful actions are a necessity due to the terrorist tactic of asking to negotiate while they continually fortify their positions. The terrorists’ secrets are in the book to be discovered, and every American responsible for the safety of others should read it and apply the collected and codified lessons within it.

Famed speaker, trainer and bestselling author of On Killing and On Combat, Lt. Col. Dave Grossman, has regularly called Dr. John Giduck a “national treasure.” In commenting on When Terror Returns, he wrote:

“When Terror Returns is the masterpiece of one of the great warrior scholars of our time. John Giduck has established himself as ‘the’ irrefutable world expert on the brutal and horrific Beslan school siege in Russia. Now he has applied his skills to inform and forewarn us, with a tour de force of the evolution of terrorist mass-hostage siege tactics in the Modern Era of Terrorism.”

Validating Dr. Giduck’s information and predictive modeling is the most recent in-depth research on the efficacy of the presence of police and armed security in those facilities that are prolific targets. In 2019, one of Dr. Giduck’s master’s students, Molly Jeffress, conducted an exhaustive analysis of all 297 mass shootings or attempts on US schools between 1996 and 2018. Titled, “Examining the Deterrent Effect of Armed Police and Security in Schools: An Analysis of the Circumstances Surrounding the Decisions by Students and Adults to Commit Mass Attacks on Schools in the US from 1996 to 2018,” this unprecedented research effort by Ms. Jeffress concluded that schools without SROs or armed security were 465 times more likely to be targeted for mass shootings than those with such a security presence. This reality can be applied to hospitals as well, yet another common target for terrorists and social predators. Such data add to the aggregate information that we must all be aware of, that we must commit to our knowledge, that must inform our training and, most of all, that we must “Never Forget”!

Colonel Grossman has also consistently offered a message that resonates with Santayana: “The best predictor of future behavior is past behavior”. By accessing Giduck’s study and analysis of decades of terror attacks, and studying the evolution of their tactics, targets and victims, we can be prepared for what is yet to come.

Molly Jeffress’ original research paper, or a summary of it, can be obtained by contacting her at: joyntm@hotmail.com.

E-copies of Dr. Giduck’s books, which include Terror at Beslan, When Terror Returns, and Shooter Down: The Dramatic, Untold Story of the Police Response to the Virginia Tech Massacre, can be found on Amazon.com. Hard copies can be obtained by writing to info2@circon.org.

Chief Ron Camacho is an accomplished law enforcement executive who spent time as an advisor in Afghanistan and Mexico. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, has a master’s in criminal justice from Liberty University, and is the chief of the Chambersburg Pennsylvania Police Department. He is the owner of Camacho Consulting LLC, a leadership and management training company.

Breonna Taylor Was Not The Target Of Racial Injustice. Confronting the Fallout.

By: Deon Joseph

This may anger many, but I’m a man of integrity. The truth is not popular in today’s times. It’s not welcome. It’s considered insensitive, rude and condescending. It’s sexist, misogynistic, judgmental and even racist as stated by some I’ve talked with. 

When a society gets to that point where facts don’t matter, when emotions outweigh reason, when the truth is considered a thing of evil, when waiting for all facts is considered being neutral in a moment of importance, that usually signifies the beginning of the end of civility, accountability and sanity. It is the harbinger for a world where ambulance-chasing attorneys, political figures and twisted people with ulterior motives become the puppet masters of us all. 

Yes I’m an honest man, but I also have a heart. I have compassion. So before I go further, I want to say Rest in Peace to Breonna Taylor. I pray for comfort for her family. No, she did not deserve to die. I mean that from the bottom of my soul. My prayers are with her family. 

With that, I still must say what needs to be said. 

Everything we were told about this incident was a lie. There is no need to go over the facts again. We have to confront the fallout now. 

We all have been played by overzealous and irresponsible reporting by some members of the media, social justice warriors, politicians, social media trolls, professional athletes, celebrities and influencers. 

Taylor was not a target of racial injustice.  She was an unfortunate and tragic casualty of crossfire as two police officers defended themselves against an immediate threat of serious injury or death after one of them was shot. That’s literally the crux of the story. 

How it went from that to what we have been led to believe speaks volumes to how badly we all, Black, white, gay, straight, cop, community, liberals, conservatives are being grossly manipulated and exploited. Someone, some group wants us to tear each other apart. 

We are all being pitted against each other for ratings, and a movement disguised as a movement of love and peace, that has driven us farther apart than I’ve seen in my lifetime. We have been used and spun up so badly, that lies and the animosity that comes with them is more acceptable and desired that what’s real. We have become addicted to gossip and outrage. 

As a cop, I do not mind scrutiny. I do not mind being held to a higher standard. I understand what I do affects people’s lives and freedoms which warrant those standards. 

Yet, when we see the damage from faulty and sensational reporting of these incidents and when we see our nation imploding from a rush for more eyeballs and ears, shouldn’t we be holding American media more accountable as well? When our journalists become activists, and embrace “the ends justify the means” strategy in their own personal efforts for social justice, justice, peace, civility and all the things they claim to desire from their actions erode away. Even they won’t be able to live safely in the world they are trying to create. 

We all have to do better. We all must be better. I and thousands of officers have accepted the challenge of being better public servants. We are better than we were 10, 20, 30 years ago. But as long as human beings wear a badge, someone is going to disappoint us all. Unfortunately our aforementioned detractors literally cannot wait for one of us to have a human moment to push their varied agendas and stereotypes of any group they deem the enemy of their personal crusades. But just like us, some in our media must be better, and report the facts as they come, and not try to guide people to a thought against anyone or group, no matter their skin color or profession. Because not doing so is literally killing and maiming people. 

Our communities must do better by waiting for facts to come out and thinking more critically, as many are extremely intelligent, but in the age of instant gratification, have become intellectually lazy. I can’t judge you for that. Even I have been guilty of that. I try to fight it with every fiber of my being. 

Our activists and community leaders have to be better, and stop exploiting marginalized groups for notoriety or for your personal vision of justice that breeds more injustice. Sit down with what you fear. You may just learn they want the same thing when you stop dehumanizing them. 

If this doesn’t change soon, we will lose each other. We will lose our humanity. We will lose our decency and any chance at brother and sisterhood in this nation. 

I pray you will not be angry with me. I’m at peace with speaking my heart, and am not afraid of losing friends for speaking the truth. True friends don’t lie to friends, even if it hurts. 

I consider myself a friend.

God bless.

REDCON1: The Murph Challenge. Honoring Fallen Navy SEAL Lt. Michael P. Murphy.

By Bernard B. Kerik

The coronavirus may have shut down events and activities throughout the country, but it didn’t stop our veterans and first responders from participating in The Murph Challenge – an annual event that honors fallen Navy SEAL Lt. Michael P. Murphy who died during a mission in Afghanistan on June 28, 2005.

The Murph Challenge is more than an intense workout, which consists of a 1-mile run, 100 pull ups, 200 push-ups, 300 squats and another mile run to finish out the workout – it’s meant to push participants to their physical limits to honor the memory of Lt. Murphy.

In 2005, Lt. Murphy was in charge of a 4-man SEAL Team in support of Operation Red Wings, a mission tasked with finding a key anti-coalition commander in Afghanistan. After being spotted by goat herders, a fierce gun battle ensued with Taliban fighters. Despite suffering very serious gunshot wounds, Lt. Murphy risked his life to save the lives of his teammates and fellow SEAL Team members.

Knowing that backup was needed, Lt. Murphy risked his life by going back into enemy fire in order to get better reception in his call for assistance. In pain and suffering from grave wounds, Lt. Murphy calmly provided his unit’s location and the number of enemy fighters. Returning to a safer position, he continued fighting, even saving the life of a teammate before he was killed.

For his brave and selfless actions, Lt. Murphy was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor on October 27, 2007.

Since The Murph Challenge began in 2012, they have raised more than $1 million for the Lt. Michael P. Murphy Memorial Scholarship Foundation and Murph Navy Seal Museum in New York.

This year, The Murph Challenge teamed up with Florida-based REDCON1, the nation’s fastest-growing supplement company in history. And despite 90-degree heat and high humidity, participants packed the parking lot of the REDCON1 Gym – home to this year’s event.

Founded by industry expert and entrepreneur Aaron Singerman, REDCON1 literally means the highest state of readiness. Whether a soccer mom, active duty military, a veteran, first responder or a body builder, REDCON1 reaches and serves a diverse clientele.

And 38 percent of their customers nationwide are military, veterans, police and paramedics – heroes who keep us safe and protect us from danger.

Today, REDCON1 is sold in over 80 countries, online direct and at major retailers such as Vitamin Shoppe, Dick’s Sporting Goods, GNC and at military exchanges and commissaries. The products have won the Vitamin Shoppe brand of the year, Stacked 3D Brand of the year two years in a row and bodybuilding.com’s fan-favorite brand.

But REDCON1 is more than just a supplement company. They are on a mission to serve those who serve us. It’s why during the pandemic, they kept their gym open for local police and first responders – and free of charge. In June, Singerman donated 20,000 protein bars to South Florida hospitals and local law enforcement.

And on the REDCON1 website, they offer a special discount to military, first responders and active or retired law enforcement for all REDCON1 apparel and products.

Last month, the REDCON1 Foundation paid the mortgage of Marine veteran Courtney Brown, who lost his job and tested positive for COVID-19 after buying his first house with his wife. Fox News host Shannon Bream honored the foundation for their work in assisting the Brown family in her regular Midnight Hero segment.

But that’s not all, every day, and out of the news headlines, Aaron Singerman and his REDCON1 team quietly serve the local first responder and law enforcement community – not for headlines – but because it’s the right thing to do.

During these challenging and unprecedented times, the first responder and law enforcement community should know this – the REDCON1 family is grateful for the work that you do and the sacrifices that you make to keep us safe.

Trump: The President We Need. He Fights For Us, Let's Fight for Him.

BREAKING NEWS;

Countless Police Unions across the country are endorsing Donald Trump for re-election. Love him or hate him, Donald J. Trump is certainly a phenomenon. Have you ever seen a United States president who draws crowds like a rock star? His detractors call his followers a “cult’ in an attempt to diminish his role, and what he means to the American people. Hated by the left, simply because there’s an R after his name, and hated by politicians on both sides of the aisle in 2016 because he wasn’t one of them. Trump is truly a man of the people who speaks in the vernacular, and doesn’t rely on focus groups to answer a question.

Here’s an NYC businessman that came out of nowhere as he came down the escalator with his beautiful, “urbane” wife, Melania. Trump’s been called a fool, a dummy, and more recently, a clown by Joe Biden in the first presidential debate. Sounds like juvenile name calling when someone gets beat at their own game and can’t make a solid argument to counter his successes. In 2016, Trump totally rolled over a dozen Republican candidates in the presidential primaries. This in itself infuriated the powerful GOP who couldn’t understand how someone who never even ran for dog catcher, outmaneuvered them. Donald Trump then beat the polls and beat the DNC anointed one, rattling political circles around the world. The crushing defeat made Hillary an extremely angry and vindictive foe; hence, the phony “Steele dossier” to frame our great president, while it was she who was actually colluding with the Russians. The powerful Democratic Party was in shambles it seemed, as millions of progressives across the country crumbled in self-destructive agony. Countless politicians, Hollywood celebrities and late-night talk show hosts that guaranteed his defeat at the hands of Hillary were now “eating crow.” What an amazing American success story!

So how did this man do it? He had a simple message; Make America Great Again! Republicans, along with other conservatives, and so many in the military and law enforcement from both parties, viewed the Obama administration as weak, and Trump new it. Obama, once elected, went on his “apology tour” and even bowed to the Saudi king. “Fast and Furious” was a disaster and got many people killed, including a U.S. Border Patrol Agent. Obama drew the famous “Red Line” in Syria, that the Syrians laughed at. Iran captured one of our Navy vessels in the Gulf of Oman, and Obama had his then-Secretary of State John Kerry apologize to the Iranians. Obama was feckless against ISIS while calling them a “JV” team, and made our military look weak. However, the weakest time in Obama’s presidency was his, and Hillary’s, inaction in Benghazi on 9/11/12. Joe Biden? He was even weaker than Obama while in the situation room, he advised his boss against the Osama bin Laden raid executed by our Navy SEALS. Making matters worse, Biden later “outed” SEAL Team 6 on national TV, putting an al Qaida target on their backs. Every past president I can think of would’ve given the green light to take out the architect of 9/11, except for Joe.

Barack Obama had absolutely no love for law enforcement and seemed to throw us under the bus at every turn. Under Obama’s watch, five police officers in Dallas were gunned down during riots there; does anybody really think that Biden will support us any better? Democrat politicians constantly told police officers in our cities to stand down and give the rioters some room, thereby tying the hands of our police and destroying morale across the country. Trayvon Martin was shot dead in Florida by a neighborhood watchman and somehow Democrats made villains of police officers as a result. Congressional Democrats stood up with their hands raised pushing the phony “Hands up, don’t shoot” narrative in Ferguson. Juxtapose Obama-Biden shortcomings with the successes of the Trump Administration and the choice is clear this election cycle.

Trump rebuilt the military, defeated ISIS, and took out their leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi (Only small remnants of the Caliphate are left, mostly in Africa).

Trump ordered the strike that took out the Iranian General Qasem Soleimani, who was described by many as a global terrorist.

Trump stands up for our Second Amendment, where Biden and “The Squad” want to take away our guns. In the wake of the BLM/Antifa riots, by the way, law-abiding citizens are purchasing guns in record numbers.

Trump stands with law enforcement, and over the next 4 years will help us restore our honor. Biden will only be a puppet of the left, and allow Democrats pulling the strings to continue their demonization of our great American institutions.

And judges? Liberal judges are killing us all across America! Trump needs four more years to appoint more conservative judges that follow the constitution and not “legislate” from the bench! He’s appointed over 170 so far.

We, LEOs across the country, are a big voting block and also have the ability to influence many voters around us. Whether family, friends, or anyone else who will listen, drive home the need to VOTE REPUBLICAN across the board as we all need to fight against the liberal agenda and sanctuary cities. We need stricter gun laws and harsher sentences for people who use guns during the commission of a crime. We need to take back the House and retire many anti-cop Democrats who continue to spread hate and fallacies about what we do and who we are.

Did you know that President Trump wants the death penalty for cop killers? I’m definitely on board with that! Do you know that he brought back the program giving us surplus military equipment that Obama quashed, in order to keep us safer? He released over $600 million in equipment since bringing back the program, and is spending $29 million on training for us to use it efficiently.

The Democrat/socialist anti-police rhetoric is over the top! Bernie Sanders told a black audience to “respect police officers during a motor vehicle stop, so you don’t get shot in the back of the head.” WTF? And Joe Biden told a black girl recently, that, “Cops don’t pull over white girls” so they have nothing to fear. Did this guy miss his medication or something? We’ve been pulling over “lead footed” white girls for years!

I truly believe that after November 3rd, Donald J. Trump will continue to help us even more, with no concern any longer of re-election. Trump, like us, doesn’t see black and white, only right and wrong. And please give him the Senate and House, to help him, help America. Stay safe!

Pat Ciser is a retired lieutenant from the Clifton Police Department, and a 7th Degree Black Belt. He was a member of 5 U.S. Karate Teams, winning gold medals in South America and Europe. He is the Author of BUDO and the BADGE; Exploits of a Jersey Cop (BN.com/Amazon), and is a guest writer for Official Karate Magazine.

GONE TO SOON: REMEMBRANCE OF HENDERSON COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPUTY RYAN HENDRIX.

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Henderson County Sheriff’s Deputy Ryan Hendrix
Article & Artwork by Jonny Castro

On September 10th, Henderson County (North Carolina) Sheriff’s Deputy Ryan Hendrix responded to a 911 call for a vehicle break in. The owner of car stated that he exchanged gunfire with the suspect when he caught him inside of his vehicle. As deputies arrived on location and confronted the gunman (who had retreated across the street and had broken into a truck), he opened fire striking Deputy Hendrix in his face. The other deputies returned fire killing the suspect. Deputy Hendrix was rushed to nearby Mission Hospital but was unable to be saved. The wounded deputy was kept alive so his organs could be harvested for donation. From a friend: “It was only the second time in Mission Hospital’s history that every organ from an individual was able to be donated; some will be going to children. If God has a plan, it might make the slightest bit of sense that his life saved numerous children. Ryan would’ve loved that.”