Two stories

April 05, 2008 02:40 pm

— Editor:
Two recent stories in this newspaper involving law enforcement in Pittsburg County caught the eye of this reader.
The first article relates the story of Chad Eric McCoy, my late great grandnephew, who was shot and killed by sheriff’s deputies, while alone, delusional, hallucinating and frightened in his own home.
The second article tells of 11 illegal aliens, fighting with knives in a public parking lot. Now, in this case, McAlester city police called an ambulance to take the wounded to hospital where some were treated, then arrested. One, suffering severe abdominal stab wounds was admitted for further medical treatment. The others were arrested and all rules of confinement carefully observed. Apparently, not one hair on their heads was mussed, in spite of their rather large number and the serious nature of their arrest and the nature of their violent behavior.
I am in no way suggesting that the arresting officers should have harmed them. However, one cannot help but observe the stark contrast in the way these two parallel law interventions were handled.
As it stands now, the illegal alien criminals are being fed, clothed and housed, gratis. They have defense attorneys, translators and medical treatment, all compliments of taxpayers. Heaven forbid that police harm any hair on their heads, because that would bring down the wrath of the ACLU; Southern Poverty Law Center; Chamber of Commerce, La Raza (which, in Spanish, means “The Race”), LULAC; the hierarchy of the Catholic Church and some other churches as well; the Mexican government, including senors Calderon and Fox; AFL/CIO; Bush and company; Clinton, McCain and Obama. My apology to anyone I have inadvertently omitted, as there are many others, no doubt.
On the other hand, Chad was very definitely a legal citizen, born here, with ancestry of legal descent all the way back to the arrival of the pilgrims, met by other ancestors of Native American heritage.
He was not fighting in a public place, but holed up in his own home, obviously terrified. No one was being held hostage or threatened. A family member called the sheriff’s office for help for Chad, not for him to be harmed.
So this indisputable fact remains and still begs the question: Why did the deputies enter? They knew, or should have known for they were told, that he was alone. Why did they enter to confront a disturbed, irrational, delusional young man, in possession of a rifle (they had been informed of this too)? Why did they not show the same care, concern and compassion as exemplified by the city police in their arrest and containment of illegal foreign nationals?
Does anyone else note the irony in these discrepancies?
Patricia Emich
Alexandria, Va.