Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Daniel Lopez: Suicidal or Just Plain Sorry?


Daniel Lee Lopez was executed by the state of Texas tonight for causing the death of a police officer in 2009. While trying to flee from the police after a traffic stop, Lopez struck the officer with his SUV as the officer stood on the side of the highway. Later, Lopez rammed the same SUV into several police cars when they tried to block his escape. Lopez didn’t end his vehicular assault until he was shot, wounded, and apprehended.

While Lopez’s crime was a heinous one, his own lawyer tried to brand him as insane for simply accepting his death sentence without a fight. Because Lopez didn’t file endless appeals or ask for clemency from numerous courts, this was called a sign of “obvious and severe mental illness” by the lawyer, who accused Lopez of committing suicide via the legal system.

The question now becomes this: if an inmate who must be dragged to the lethal injection table kicking and screaming, perhaps making wild and bizarre statements along the way, is dubbed insane, then why is an inmate who calmly accepts his court-ordered fate without a protest labeled the same way?

Since Texas no longer allows special last meal requests, Lopez was served the same food as others in his unit. For his last meal, Daniel Lopez had baked chicken, mashed potatoes, country gravy, carrots, black eyed peas, a lemon cookie bar, and sliced bread, with a choice of water, tea, or punch to drink.  

85 comments:

  1. How can a accident be a capital murder? Because it was an police officer? Would it be capital murder if it was a non law inforcement person? It is a tragedy for sure but not ok to sent him to death row.

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    2. The only capital murder here is the execution and death of Daniel lee Lopez, stared at death in the face and smiled. Anyone that hasn't read his case files should, this shit sad af, frl. But he embraced it with out a drop of fear real shit. Rest easy bro 100

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    3. Amen! Sad for both families, but in this case I believe by what the judge said even it should have been manslaughter! Jesus forgives you Daniel, I'm sorry to both families, I truly feel sick that the Lopez family and his children have to endure this pain. He thought of everyone, not himself! Truly sorry he caused this man to die, first time I've ever seen such a man stand up and admit his part in this and not fight, nobody gets killed for manslaughter, my dad got killed intentional and that lady got 8 yrs! Fair? NO but GOD will judge and handle it. Shame on those that think taking his life have them happiness! The wife says it wasn't revenge! That's exactly what it was, I'm sure her husband had more heart then her and wouldn't of wanted him to die and hurt his children how his hurt. He didn't gun him down! But did take blame, isn't that enuf, why do ignorant puerile want to keep hurting his family, he's gone, he didn't fight it!

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    4. Amen! Sad for both families, but in this case I believe by what the judge said even it should have been manslaughter! Jesus forgives you Daniel, I'm sorry to both families, I truly feel sick that the Lopez family and his children have to endure this pain. He thought of everyone, not himself! Truly sorry he caused this man to die, first time I've ever seen such a man stand up and admit his part in this and not fight, nobody gets killed for manslaughter, my dad got killed intentional and that lady got 8 yrs! Fair? NO but GOD will judge and handle it. Shame on those that think taking his life have them happiness! The wife says it wasn't revenge! That's exactly what it was, I'm sure her husband had more heart then her and wouldn't of wanted him to die and hurt his children how his hurt. He didn't gun him down! But did take blame, isn't that enuf, why do ignorant puerile want to keep hurting his family, he's gone, he didn't fight it!

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    5. Its sad you started with amen.its always good until it happens to your family.religious people say some disgusting stuff man.

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    6. I felt so sad I watched the whole thing on life and death row. It was all because of a pursuit for missing a stop sign. I don't for a second think avoiding the spike strip was meant to intentionally hurt the officer... and the judge made the same comment. The judge also knew he didn't deserve the penalty he got and she is probably the most amazing judge I have seen comment truthfully on the case after the fact. I cried because on both parts it was an avoidable tragedy for both families. The death penalty does not serve justice. As an eye for an eye is not how we are meant to live. It leaves us blind.

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    7. I just saw it tonight too. My heart went out to him..I know God has forgiven him and he's in heaven free at peace.. Irma

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    8. Very sad indeed. My heart goes out to Daniel and his family.. He's free and at peace in Jesus arms..

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    9. Yea you know it's kinda f**k up that they gave this young man the death gently for a case that should if been manslaughter at most! I mean I feel for the cops family and it's a tragedy but these cops get in these high speed chases that they should call off when they see that it's getting crazy! But these cop's get off on the chases! They love the rush, I've heard them say they do. So that being said it's sad they killed the man! He didn't want to spend the rest of his life behind bars and if you've ever did any time you would understand! I pray for his kids and family! Rip....

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    10. He had extensive crimes ALL his life! He was a REGISTERED sex offender, at 21 years of age! He could have swerved the other way, but he CHOSE to hit the officer. HE got what he deserved!

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    11. So what if he got into trouble as a juvenile, a lot of us did and never got caught. He wanted to man up over his mistske. I truely agree he did not hit the cop intentionally. Cop dude should've high-tailed it oyt of the way. I do believe that some cops like the drama. I dated a cop who lird, cheated, betrayed and was super creepy.

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    12. Yeah thats why you are anonamous because you are a scared person god will deal with people like you that guy deserved to pay for his crimes but what does killing someone else help anything thats just more hurt for more people its a cycle and pretty soon everyone is hirt it serves no purpose ignorant people like you have no brain i hope a tragedy strikes your family karma

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  2. How can a accident be a capital murder? Because it was an police officer? Would it be capital murder if it was a non law inforcement person? It is a tragedy for sure but not ok to sent him to death row.

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    1. I completely agree. Very tragic, yes. But obviously he did something stupid and then freaked out and ran into the officer...I truly believe that's not the way he wanted things to end.

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    3. Texas is a white racist state nothing but a bunch of people who think there fucking cowboys and try to play god at the same time in the end they will pay

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  3. Probably because he killed the police officer during a police chase. And maybe witnesses saw an intentional hit. And a murder during a felony makes it murder one and that's a capital case witch is punishable by death in texas

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    1. EXACTLY!!
      HE caused police chase... Thats no more an "accident" than drunk driving!!!

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    2. EXACTLY!!
      HE caused police chase... Thats no more an "accident" than drunk driving!!!

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    3. He didn't deny that, so your comments just hurt his family and kids and your better then him how? Your causing pain by your actions maybe you should get time cuz your opinion is causing harm!

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  4. He went around the spikes. It was an accident. Anyone but a cop and he lives.

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  5. He went around the spikes. It was an accident. Anyone but a cop and he lives.

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    1. He went around the spikes because THEY WERE CHASING HIM!!!
      How pray tell is that an accident????

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    2. He went around the spikes because THEY WERE CHASING HIM!!!
      How pray tell is that an accident????

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    3. They knew they could find him, why the high speed chase to put people in danger! They could have followed or got him later, he wasn't being chased for killing someone! If your family got killed from a police chase and a cop ran your kid over then how would you feel?

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    4. So do u know daniel lopez?😣

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  6. I really wish i was in his place. He was a true man even after the things he had done. He didnt run away. He stood in the face of death and a guy like this deserves to be respected. Im not saying that the officer should to hell, but his family should be able to understand that this guy is not as bad as they think. Everybody makes mistakes.the question is why did they charged him with Capital Murder? People go around shooting randomly and all they get is 5 month in prison. Is that what you call AMERICAN JUSTICE?????

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  7. I really wish i was in his place. He was a true man even after the things he had done. He didnt run away. He stood in the face of death and a guy like this deserves to be respected. Im not saying that the officer should to hell, but his family should be able to understand that this guy is not as bad as they think. Everybody makes mistakes.the question is why did they charged him with Capital Murder? People go around shooting randomly and all they get is 5 month in prison. Is that what you call AMERICAN JUSTICE?????

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  8. Was never a murder.such a sad case.i so wished he would
    Appeal.just a crying shame and I really
    Thought the coppers wife as a formal
    Nurse would
    Have a sense of forgiveness and not bay for blood

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    1. I agree. I'm an RN and you have to have compassion to do your job. She lacked any compassion whatsoever. I truly believe that he did not intentionally kill that officer and didn't deserve to die. I understood why he wanted to die though, because him dying meant not having to live the next 50+ years in prison. He knew that even if he appealed it he would still die in prison because instead of death he would get LWOP. So, in his mind it was the easy way out. Die now instead of living his entire life locked in a cell and dying there in the end anyway. I think that if a person has to live that long in jail it is more of a punishment than dying. Executions only cause suffering for the family (his suffering ends the moment he's injected).

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  9. Yea he did not intentionally kill that cop. They are all trying to make it seem like he wanted to run the coo over but he was trying to avoid the SECOND set of strips the same way he avoided the first. Cops are a disgusting bunch.

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  10. Holy shit! I just watched an interview conducted on execution watch about Daniel and it's so unfortunate. I hope that I can be half the man he was in the face of death. I have the utmost respect for this guy and my prayers go out to him wherever he may be. I mean wow, stand up guy. In the end he was selfless, courageous and honorable. God speed my friend.

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    2. No chick your nuts and you need GOD in your life! Every situation is different! They didn't have to give a high speed chase, they are just as responsible for his death! If that wife don't forgive, Jesus won't forgive her. Hey cheryl go to church and really find out about what your talking about so you don't sound so ignorant

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    3. You are so right this is a crime to kill thar kid texas is and i believe always will be s racist state whos laws have always been unfair amen to you rip bro

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  11. I'm flaborgasted at the justice system in texas..I WILL NEVER LIVE IN TEXAS, the most cruel and injustice system in America. ..I absolutely feel for the family and friends of mr. Lopez and for him to accept his fate in the manly way he did is truly respectable but I truly do believe if he had good attorneys and good lawyers he could have won that case that was definitely involuntary manslaughter but with him being who he was and the cop being the cop he definitely stood no chance in this white man's world so I understood where he was coming from I admire mr. Lopez so much and my prayers will continue to go out to his family and I hope that his children do understand what a strong stressful father he was even though he faced many demons in his past.

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  12. (Typo correction)...Strengthful father..

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  13. Look.. if he wouldnt have ran the cop would be alive and so would he. Its capital murder because a murder happened during a felony...he assaulted a cop thats why he was being chased to begin with. Its sad yes but he is not innocent...and wtf is all the cop hating s*** for? You all protest and try to hurt and kill but you same dumba**** call them when you need them. Smh. Some people need educated or just dont need access to the internet..

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    1. Sounds like you need education! These cops that use over authority and force and don't know how to catch someone without innocent people getn hurt are no better then the person that committed the crime in the first place!

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  14. I believe that he should of gotten prison time but not death. I have the up most respect for the police but this was an accident. This young man wasn't a mentally stable person i feel for his kids and his mother.

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  15. I believe that he should of gotten prison time but not death. I have the up most respect for the police but this was an accident. This young man wasn't a mentally stable person i feel for his kids and his mother.

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  16. May both families find peace in there hearts. This case is very sad. We must learn to forgive specially when it is obvious the young man had mental issues. Rest in peace

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  17. May both families find peace in there hearts. This case is very sad. We must learn to forgive specially when it is obvious the young man had mental issues. Rest in peace

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  18. I just finished watching Daniel's story, and it's sad how humanity is blinded...Did he intentionally killed the cop???No but due to his actions from the beginning a person lost their life and in justice there's consequences. People forget the fact that a profession is just a way of living. But WE are all humans!!!!! Wether it was a cop or a civilian I don't think he meant to kill him. Accidents do happen. Cops all around the WORLD forget their duties to protect and serve, now we have cops shooting to kill civilians. What's wrong with the people to think is ok for a cop to shoot and kill a person just because of their skin color or background. Cops are trained to shoot and disable, but NO these cops are shooting to kill. And no charges are being filed huh?? Or drop in court. What about the pain of the families of the people getting kill.Common people let's not be ignorant and see life as its intended for all of us. Stop feeding your brains with the news and Media as they only shows us what they want us to see and hear...

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    2. I couldn't of said it better!!! My father got stabbed to death while the suspect was using crack and planned it, she got 8 yrs!!! Yeah cops should be more protected being they put there life on the line daily but they chose that profession... But how is one life more valuable then another? It's not in God's eyes. How can the cops family be so happy that the man that took death cuz he accepted his roll in the cops death and not have any feelings for this man's family at all! Just cruel comments and evil from the cops, his family and the bikers that disrespected the Lopez family when he spoke his last words to say sorry to that cops wife which said this wasn't about revenge, yes it most certainly was, she stated she hoped her husband could rip now, he was already testing in peace, maybe she don't believe in Jesus but when it's good for her! Hmm but they think they will reach heaven! Lopez will reach heaven!

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  19. I just finished watching Daniel's story, and it's sad how humanity is blinded...Did he intentionally killed the cop???No but due to his actions from the beginning a person lost their life and in justice there's consequences. People forget the fact that a profession is just a way of living. But WE are all humans!!!!! Wether it was a cop or a civilian I don't think he meant to kill him. Accidents do happen. Cops all around the WORLD forget their duties to protect and serve, now we have cops shooting to kill civilians. What's wrong with the people to think is ok for a cop to shoot and kill a person just because of their skin color or background. Cops are trained to shoot and disable, but NO these cops are shooting to kill. And no charges are being filed huh?? Or drop in court. What about the pain of the families of the people getting kill.Common people let's not be ignorant and see life as its intended for all of us. Stop feeding your brains with the news and Media as they only shows us what they want us to see and hear...

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  20. I would be absolutely horrified if we had the death penalty in Australia little own in 2017 ! it is in human and cruel to make someone go through such psychological torture, waiting years on death row in isolation for a uncertain outcome. Some countries are so backward and they need to move forward not backwards. The death penalty is a cruel punishment and shame on you !! for the countries that still use it. I feel for the families that have suffered for there loss but, i myself have had such family tragedy and i have forgiven because i don't see how revenge would make me feel any better if anything it would stop me from being able to move on.

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  21. Texas is a mess , he accepted he done wrong , tbis wasnt a cold bloodied murder this was a guy fleeing from the cops , why would tje family of the cop want daniels kids and wife to go thru what they are , griefing but shouldnt want revenge or death penalty so unfair rest in peace daniel took this like a man rip both alaxander and daniel

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  22. As much as I agree with the death penalty this man should not have been sentenced to death! Such a sad story Daniel clearly had mental health issues and suffered a lot of trauma from his childhood.What an awful shame he is no longer with us Such a brave man.

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  23. I live in England and have watched the program on Daniel it’s heart breaking the American system must be flawed to obviously allow suicide which it clearly was it appears America has a lot of flaws with guns shootings and serious crimes this lad needed help just a stupid young kid but so brave with his convictions. Of the death penalty What a waste of life but let’s not forget the police officer he was a good man but I don’t believe his widow got closure seeing Daniel die I would see more closure working with Daniel and his family it does appear an accident so sad thanks dave

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  24. This is exactly why I don't believe in the death penalty. It is given to people who if the crime didn't happen to a cop they would not have been given the death penalty...honestly if it had been a reg civilian he would have been given vehicular manslaughter and only given a short sentence...so his death penalty is bullshit...texas will burn in hell...i will never even visit that state...this makes me so mad I can't even contain myself.....

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  25. It's a very sensitive topic. Two lives was lost no one better then the other in God's eyes. But as u know any harm brought Upon law Enforcement is greater Then the civilians. VERY sad. The judicial system absolutely doesn't work

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  26. A NORMAL GUY AND NOT A PIG AND DANIEL WOULD NOT HAVE HAD THE JAB

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    1. Any death caused during the commission of felony can be tried as murder one (capital murder). In the state of Texas fleeing from the police in a vehicle or watercraft is a felony offense. It doesn't matter who the person is that died.

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  27. Lets not attack the poor officer who got mowed down by someone who accidently or not was driving recklessly and dangerously. I just watched Daniel's bio as well and I must admit i did feel bad for the guy but he isn't the real victim here, officer Alexander was and he lost his life for doing absolutley nothing but his job. His children lost a father, his wife a husband and all his family, collegues and friends lost someone that night. Its a tragedy all the way around but even Daniel man-ed up and accepted that he was responsible and what was coming to him....

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  28. Every comment I read make me sick. A bunch of liberal boo hoo b. S.


    His daughter said her mother told her that it was not Daniel's fault, but rather it was the fault of the police that her father was on death row.

    I agree. It is the fault of the police that the sorry pos got 5 more years to live than Lt. Alexander. They should have shot the sorry pos that night and been done with it.

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  29. Every comment I read makes me sick. A bunch of liberal boo hoo b. S.


    His daughter said her mother told her that it was not Daniel's fault, but rather it was the fault of the police that her father was on death row.

    I agree. It is the fault of the police that the sorry pos got 5 more years to live than Lt. Alexander. They should have shot the sorry pos that night and been done with it.

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  30. And who do y'all think you are to judge either side? I hope you or a member of your family never finds itself on either side or even on the side of the justice system.

    Go ahead and cast the first stone. Otherwise, shut the fuck up and stop playing God.

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  31. You guys feel sorry for him...but read his biography. He had prior arrests and convictions.

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  32. yes and did you listen to details of his background ? its his so called dad who should have been injected and where were the state when he was suffering as a child ??? so so sad for everyone, even the wife felt sorry at the end

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  33. I'm absolutely disgusted by the sheer amount of pity, "props", law enforcement shaming, etc displayed here. Accordingly to an eye witness, he INTENTIONALLY swerved into the police officer. His deadly weapon was a vehicle. Too freaking bad I say. This convict is a registered sex offender and a murderer. Kill a cop, get the needle. Don't do the crime if you won't do the time. The only good thing this inmate did was stop his appeals. For selfish reasons I'm sure, but at least the victims family was given justice. Period.

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  34. So sad...it was an accident...i can see he was a good boy....just bad decition...but Daniel took his guilt like a soldier...be in peace my boy...u with God now...no pain no suffering.....in peace...Godbless u my child...πŸ˜žπŸ˜°πŸ˜‡πŸ˜‡πŸ˜‡πŸ‘ΌπŸ‘ΌπŸ™πŸ™πŸ™

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  35. Some people like to judge so quickly....waooo no sympathy ...no love for ur brother...neighbor....

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  36. I watched this a while ago and it broke my heart.. He didnt intentionally kill that officer and he did not deserve to die. You could tell he was sorry and had regret for his actions..

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  37. It was an accident He was in a high speed chase and accidentally ran him over or whatever. So sad for Lopez.

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  38. Yep. πŸš¦πŸš—πŸš—πŸš—πŸš•πŸššπŸš›⛟🀸‍♂️πŸš”πŸš”πŸš“

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  39. Yep!
    πŸš—πŸš—πŸš˜πŸš•πŸššπŸš›⛟🀸‍♂️πŸš”πŸš”πŸš“

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  40. RIP Daniel Lopez. The cop is dead because his follow officers felt the need to endanger the lives or the public and them selves because someone ran a stop sign. Shouldnt public safety have been the officers main concern

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