I am writing in response to a letter by Marilyn Aston printed Oct. 31. Foremost, my condolences go to the family of the young man who died in the accident she refers to. I cannot fathom their loss. I offer this letter not to disgrace their loved one, but to dispute empty allegations put forth by Ms. Aston.

We’ve all heard that the mantra of law enforcement is to serve and protect, but, as evident in the writer’s letter, this job is often misunderstood and almost always unappreciated. Aston asserts that the police are to blame for the unfortunate death, but I would like to ask how familiar are we with the education, training and procedures of law enforcement? As a society, we carelessly dismiss and criticize professions that we really know nothing about.

It is too easy to suggest that the police back off from the pursuit when the action of the young man placed others in jeopardy. The police officers sought to serve and protect innocents who might have been on the road.

The sadness of this all is that the young man did not stop when he saw the blue lights. That moment, that choice, is why we had that unfortunate consequence, not because police were attempting to “show their muscles.” That argument and the wish that the officers “cannot sleep at night” are unjust, sad and hurtful.

My many thanks to Lewiston police for their continued duty in the face of such unpleasant remarks.

Jeff Saucier, Lewiston

Copy the Story Link