A loss: As the debate over Baltimore rages, remember Brian Moore

If we are going to talk about law enforcement, police and the communities in which they serve, one of the first discussions should be about what life is like when you are charged with keeping the peace.

And that discussion must include the story of Brian Moore.

The 25-year-old New York City police officer wasn't targeting black offenders and he was not using deadly force indiscriminately.

All he did was ask a man about a gun in his waistband -- and not just any man, a career criminal.

He died yesterday from injuries sustained when that man shot him in the face.

His story is not unique -- hundreds of police officers die every year from skirmishes just like this. Many more are injured -- permanently.

Raise all the questions you want about how our system works. Question whether non-violent offenders are being treated unfairly.

And even raise the questions about whether police might be too quick to judge a young man in a hoodie they see in the street.

But talk about Brian Moore, too.

Talk about how many seconds a police officer has to make a judgment that could result in the end of his life or someone else's.

Talk about crime statistics and perpetrators.

Then move forward responsibly -- with all the information.

Then, justice will be done.

Published in Editorials on May 5, 2015 10:54 AM