willowistminis
10-11-2007, 12:12 PM
Is anyone else out there who is outraged by the killing of Jerimiah Chass, the young boy who was shot to death by the Sonoma County deputies after they intercepted a call for medical help from the boy's parents?
The story on the part of the deputies has been altered so many times that it is now unbelievable. Jerimiah was in his parent's van and apparently holding his younger brother with him during a mental breakdown that he was suffering. The deputies claim that they were defending themselves when they shot and killed Jerimiah. They said they fired 2 bullets into him after being unable to subdue the 140lb. teenager with their nightsticks. All this time, Jeriamiah was in his parent's minivan, his brother having gotten out.
The ambulance arrived in time to pronounce Jerimiah dead. The deputies had arrived 5 minutes ahead of them.
The deputies maintain that they were in danger as Jeriamiah had a knife. It was actually one of those little red 2 inch blades that are carried around in pockets. Then the autopsy report came out, stating that Jerimiah had actually been shot 8 times while lying on his back in the van, while his family stood by helpless. He had apparently kicked one of the deputies in the face while being hit with the night sticks and threatened them with his 2 in. knife! Any Anger Issues there on the part of the deputies? Use of Excessive Force? They could have just left him in the van until the medical personnel got there and we would not now all be in mourning for this child and his family.
Jerimiah was a good kid who happened to have a medical issue that could have been handled by trained personnel. Instead he got deputies untrained in dealing with mental issues who reacted with undue force.
Now we have a 16 year old kid dead . He was an excellent student, he was on the track team, he was liked by all who knew him at the high school. Never in trouble....not that that would have justified this anyway.
And if you think this will not have any repercussions in our town, just talk to some of the kids who went to high school with him and see how much respect they now have for the Sheriff's Dept. and law enforcement in general.
Sheriff Cogbill, you did your department a great disservice by ruling this incident justifiable and putting those officers back on duty.
And if the rest of you out there don't feel shocked and saddened by this behavior on the part of those who are sworn to protect us, then there is no impetus for change.....and you or your child may be next.
Please write the paper or let your law enforcement officials know that we don't tolerate brutality or racism in this town.
The story on the part of the deputies has been altered so many times that it is now unbelievable. Jerimiah was in his parent's van and apparently holding his younger brother with him during a mental breakdown that he was suffering. The deputies claim that they were defending themselves when they shot and killed Jerimiah. They said they fired 2 bullets into him after being unable to subdue the 140lb. teenager with their nightsticks. All this time, Jeriamiah was in his parent's minivan, his brother having gotten out.
The ambulance arrived in time to pronounce Jerimiah dead. The deputies had arrived 5 minutes ahead of them.
The deputies maintain that they were in danger as Jeriamiah had a knife. It was actually one of those little red 2 inch blades that are carried around in pockets. Then the autopsy report came out, stating that Jerimiah had actually been shot 8 times while lying on his back in the van, while his family stood by helpless. He had apparently kicked one of the deputies in the face while being hit with the night sticks and threatened them with his 2 in. knife! Any Anger Issues there on the part of the deputies? Use of Excessive Force? They could have just left him in the van until the medical personnel got there and we would not now all be in mourning for this child and his family.
Jerimiah was a good kid who happened to have a medical issue that could have been handled by trained personnel. Instead he got deputies untrained in dealing with mental issues who reacted with undue force.
Now we have a 16 year old kid dead . He was an excellent student, he was on the track team, he was liked by all who knew him at the high school. Never in trouble....not that that would have justified this anyway.
And if you think this will not have any repercussions in our town, just talk to some of the kids who went to high school with him and see how much respect they now have for the Sheriff's Dept. and law enforcement in general.
Sheriff Cogbill, you did your department a great disservice by ruling this incident justifiable and putting those officers back on duty.
And if the rest of you out there don't feel shocked and saddened by this behavior on the part of those who are sworn to protect us, then there is no impetus for change.....and you or your child may be next.
Please write the paper or let your law enforcement officials know that we don't tolerate brutality or racism in this town.