March 13, 2008
Black Mount Vernon Cop's Death Goes Uncharged
The killing of Mt. Vernon police officer Christopher Ridley, gunned down outside of a White Plains courthouse, resulted in no indictments this week. The four men who killed him were Westchester County police officers, and the grand jury did not believe there was reason to proceed to a criminal trial.
Ridley was driving by the courthouse in January when he witnessed a fight among several homeless men. Although he was off-duty, Ridley pulled over and attempted to intervene. County police arriving on the scene ordered Ridley to drop a weapon--which was either his service weapon or one he had retrieved from the brawlers. Witnesses claim it's unclear whether Ridley heard the County Police or not, but he was shot multiple times and killed.
Despite early hopes that race would remain a non-issue, the Rev. Al Sharpton eventually suggested that all police view young black men as expendable. Ridley was the son of a church janitor, a mentor to young kids, and a 23-year-old man who joined the police to help his community.
The grand jury found "no reasonable cause to believe that a criminal offense was committed," leading Ridley's mother to say, "I feel in my heart he was executed by the Westchester County Police Department." Ironically, it was Ridley who called for assistance that summoned the four County Officers who killed him.
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"Despite early hopes that race would remain a non-issue, the Rev. Al Sharpton eventually suggested that all police view young black men as expendable."
Similar to the way that all people, black and white, who are even the least bit educated view the Rev. Al Sharpton as a racist, race-baiting instigator.
Why can't someone just "accidentally" gun down Al Sharpton?
It's really sad and it's going to end up that off duty cops just keep driving when they see something like that. Just like doctors who don't want to get sued for helping someone outside a hospital.
Really sad story.
Why would you want someone "accidentally" gun down regardless? You may not like Al but he does have a family and loved ones. Just because you don't like him doesn't mean he don't mean something to someone. That is the same attitude that take innocent lives, young ones at that, everyday. I'm not a fan or supporter of Al but sadly in situations like this it has become to common that young black men deaths go without justification. A young black officer gunned down and the shooters get to go on with their lives as normal feeling "it's a justified shooting." So the killing of another officer by other officers is fine. Oh wait, as long as it's a black officer who was doing his job and causing harm to no one is fine. This was murder and nothing short from it. When officers see a young black man the first thing they do is put their hands on their guns without even wanting to know the situation. How did they know the homeless men wasn't harming him? And why is it that blacks are shot "multiply" times. C'mon, 50, 40, 30 bullets, one bullet kills a 500lb horse. Multiply shots of one person by four people is murder. As soon as these cops seen black skin, "Let shoot and kill first then figure out the situation later once when done shot a n***** 40-50 times". Did the cops even try to at least figure out what was going on or did they just stay back and fire because a black had a gun. Even a black cop ain't safe. In this case, the black officer was a hero trying to help even when he was off-duty, the murders are the ones who are cowards. Sadly, black skin has become target practice for cops.
Despite early hopes that race would remain a non-issue, the Rev. Al Sharpton eventually suggested that all police view young black men as expendable.
wow, that is some good slanted writing right there. how the hell would race remain a non-issue? i don't like al shapton either but sometimes these types of "accidents" are very obviously due to race.
I suggest whenever a black off duty cop sees something a white teen or off duty cop that's fishy to fire till slide lock and we'll see what happens.
this will happen again.
There are so many issues that are to be determined in regards to race. This is clearly not one of those circumstances. This is outrageous! Absolutely abhorrent of the the Westchester Police Department. Look at this man's background, civil services and age. He's young and honorable. Put him in plain clothes trying to stop a fight and he's the reason it started and obviously expendable. A real shame.
Dave,
Next time write the word BLACK in all-caps (see example). It might help hammer home the point you're trying to make and that these other posters clearly aren't understanding.
why bernie? what do you mean? besides using the CAPS key.