This letter is in response to a letter concerning law enforcement's actions in the death of Jody Wilson. A bean pellet weapon will not always bring down the person who is threatening others when they are high on bath salts, meth, etc. The person is not likely remember anything to benefit others.
Police are highly trained to protect all of us with good judgment and I believe most try to do so. They certainly don't get up with the attitude "who can I kill today for kicks," as when they must do this, it changes them forever and they must live with the obvious pain as any of us would who have to take the life of another. They have the right to go home to their families, too, and if deadly force is called for, they it should be used.
May I suggest that people who only consider feelings and hindsight after the event, should be in law enforcement and face the critical challenges confronting officers on a daily basis and try to talk down some of these off the wall people.
Sharon Loucks
Parkersburg
