Just in from Sheriff Palmer!
I hate picking at scabs.....and I don't much like talking about someone's family member who has passed.
I also struggle with the fact that the case is still pending and with my position as an elected Sheriff there might be some inappropriateness in commenting on social media about LaVoy Finicum.
One of my struggles is the fact that with what I know (and believe me, I am no expert in deadly force issues but I have had training) is that when someone flees the police, it doesn't necessarily rise to the level of using deadly force.
What bothers me most is the fact that these people were allowed to come and go from the Refuge for over a month.
They could have been stopped, detained or arrested at anytime. When I hear other elected officials refer to these people as "viruses" there is something wrong.
"We must stop the virus" was another phrase I heard.
These people are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
As we all know, they were acquitted.
Where is the justice for LaVoy and his family?
The other issue that I struggle with is that these people were extremely peaceful.
They met numerous times with law enforcement and there was always hand shakes.
When you look at "other protesters" who are injuring and maiming, rioting, setting stuff on fire, damaging and destroying private and public property etc etc.....you have to look at the facts and wonder what brought the Finicum case to the level of force that was used VS what level of force that is or isn't being used with these people who are destroying our communities.
Why is it that we have to rise to the level that Jeanette Finicum has to push the issue for resolution via a lawsuit instead of the investigation coming out and giving the facts as they are?
Wrong or right, people need to know what the truth is and what the investigation revealed.
Because we as individuals choose to speak about constitutional rights, freedom, liberty and justice-does that make us a dangerous lot?
Does speaking the truth about Jesus Christ and what we believe in make us someone to be hated or feared?
Does mentioning what we believe in or how we feel and sharing that with others make us a danger to society that we have to be stopped no matter what the cost is?
The fact of the matter is this:
Those of us who stand for liberty, freedom and justice for all have been and continue to be a very peaceful and tolerant group or lot of people.
For being labeled terrorists, and scorned in the media.....we have been nothing but the opposite.
Is it so wrong that we have expectations of our government to listen to its people and those that represent us?
That for standing out and standing up adds us to a watch list?
What does our government fear the most?
Are we feared because we seek the truth, honesty, integrity and justice for all?
Why is our government hell bent on stopping freedom or liberty minded people?
I have to agree: "It Matters How You Stand".
Sheriff Palmer Grant County, Oregon
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