Last week, Houston Police Officer Rodney Johnson died — shot by a man who had been patted down, then cuffed and placed in the backseat of the cruiser. Polimom didn’t know this officer, but by all accounts he was professional, highly respected, and a loving husband and father.
Officer Johnson’s death brought home a number of issues: the inherent dangers of police work, the humanity of Johnson and his family, and the tight-knit bond within the police community. Such a loss in very hard, and my heart goes out to all who knew him, and who are, like me, remembering others as well.
Polimom has ridden in the funeral procession and stood in the cemetery as a fellow officer was laid to rest, and although it was a quarter-century ago, those memories never go away. Rodney Johnson’s murder sent Polimom off for some quiet time of my own in honor of another who was lost in the line of duty to a criminal with a gun. A friend.
For all the similarities, though, Officer Johnson’s death was somewhat different; he was shot by an illegal immigrant who had a criminal record, had been deported… and had returned. By his actions, Juan Leonardo Quintero — who should not have been here at all — put Houston’s policies, and the illegal immigration issues, right back into the white-hot spotlight.
As ever, the crazies are coming out from under their rocks to fan the flames… and I’m particularly sad for Rodney Johnson’s widow Joslyn, who has had to address the much wider issue of hate:
The widow of a slain Houston police officer on Tuesday spoke out to discourage reprisals against Hispanics for the actions of an undocumented immigrant who stands accused in the case.
Joslyn Johnson said her husband, officer Rodney Johnson of the Houston Police Department, would not want anyone to raise a hand in anger in his name.
[snip]
NAACP leaders and representatives of the League of United Latin American Citizens joined Johnson to speak out.
Rick Dovalina, LULAC’s district director in Houston, said threatening calls were received at the group’s office after a talk show host urged his listeners to contact the civil rights group.
How shameful to have tainted the honorable memory of this fine officer — to have intruded on the very personal grief of his family — with hate.