What would seem like an endemic factor, one Ohio county sheriff took to the airwaves to remind armed thugs that if they shoot at his law enforcement officers, return fire is a guaranteed response. Although Butler County Sheriff Richard K. Jones is directly referring to folks in his jurisdiction, his message has nationwide applications.
When I first read Sheriff Jones’ bulletin, I hoped its effect would envelop cops everywhere, especially considering the seeming trepidation caused by a climate rife with anti-police invective which may discourage some law men and women from returning fire when it is absolutely necessary and underpinned by our laws.
Despite political pundits bizarrely propagating scenarios to the contrary, no law enforcer wishes to end the life of another. Conversely, every cop has the inherent right to return home…just the same as any citizen. With that, Sheriff Jones composed a bulletin in support of his law enforcement deputies as well as for his constituents (notably armed fringe folks harboring illicit intentions) to be well aware of his oath-sworn stance on matters of law and order.
Titled “If You Think About Coming To Butler County To Abuse Police, Think Again,” the forewarning for miscreants written by Sheriff Jones sorta serves as a template which every top cop ought to announce at times like these whereby we wake to ample anarchy without much abatement. Just look at New York City, Seattle, Portland, Austin and similar cities whose local “leadership” is seeking to whittle away at the police institution in unprecedented fashion—without realistic objectives. Such a preposterous thing equates to open invitation for insidious anarchy. Who nowadays is unaware of such atrocities?
How’s that for a bugle blow spelled out for those who may have conveniently forgotten about our republic’s behavioral expectations and the justified response when maniacs act out maliciously?
What Sheriff Jones concisely delineated is largely also on the minds of law enforcement executives across the United States’ 18,500 or so police entities positioned to defend citizens’ rights as well as maintain order among all. Lately, though, nothing seems aligned with the American principles of fulfilling the constitutional prospects of “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
So-called government officials are either boldly or tacitly greenlighting criminal elements to inflict their dirty deeds while also gaslighting police officers performing their duties as per constitutional tenets. “Revolution” is bandied about much lately. When the Founding Fathers finished the sacred documents, they safely tucked away the quill pen and didn’t just casually lay it down, confidently seeing no need for subsequent at-will editing.
Some laws may need tweaking from time to time, but the foundational bulwarks still serve us well today. At least they are supposed to.
No one necessarily needs the stark reminder outlined by Butler County, Ohio’s top cop. Nevertheless, Sheriff Jones publicly iterating (reiterating) what we all already know seems to serve as not just a refresher for malcontents to ponder but to equitably flag all the city, county, and state elected officials that unmitigated lawlessness bastardizing their communities will be dealt with by enforcers of statutes, to include ending threats blatantly exhibiting utter disregard for societal safety and security designs.
One example recently invaded media headlines in Portland, the land now infamously known as a despicable free-for-all abetted by local government, permitting dastardly lions in a den of thuggery in which an armed young man was murdered for standing up for self-defense principles. The accounts persist: One man versus another man, both of whom differed in opinion and posture (controlled v. wild).
Among the many months-long melees on the streets of Portland, Oregon, a man shot and killed “Patriot Prayer supporter” Aaron Danielson on August 29, 2020. Local police and the U.S. Marshals Service teamed up and launched a dragnet for the suspect: Michael Reinoehl.
Reinoehl was detected in Lacey, Washington within 24 hours of Sheriff Jones broadcasting his reminder for unsavory types recklessly waving firearms. It seems fortuitous, perhaps even a page out of the book of karma, that when Reinoehl was confronting arrest for Mr. Danielson’s murder, he stupidly decided to raise his gun. True to the words of Sheriff Jones, Reinoehl was shot and killed by federal agents right where he stood. One report claims cops from four different police agencies may have fired 40-50 shots; another report cited that “the suspect produced a firearm, threatening the lives of law enforcement officers. Task force members responded to the threat and struck the suspect who was pronounced dead at the scene.” Yet another report described a barrage of bullets between law enforcers and the armed suspect. Ultimately, a forensics team will blueprint the shooting scene and provide conclusive analyses.
No matter how it went down in a Lacey parking lot, what happened typified Sheriff Jones’ message, albeit in an entirely different state.
The same tale applies anywhere: Anyone sending signals indicative of shooting at any law enforcer will in turn be shot. Even if Reinoehl didn’t unloose any shots at cops and may have only pointed his firearm is nonetheless an account no one in their right mind should waste precious milliseconds pondering. For doing so is a surefire step into an early grave. No time to play guessing games.
As Sheriff Jones said, duels with guns equate to the reasoned reality that someone is going to be listed in the casualty column. Cops’ training, readiness, mental acuity, and physical preparation is paramount, all supported by constitutional principles to act and exact deadly force when necessary. Nothing new…just an echo for violent minds who pay little attention and offer zero regard for others.
Seems apropos to conclude with Sheriff Jones’ punctuated words regarding maniacs targeting cops: “I won’t tolerate it, period!” I second that. You?
Listen to Sheriff Jones explain matters in a mere four minute video: https://youtu.be/U2wH1DNpy0w