[teenyelliott]

I am torn on this one. I have a husband and small children. Were I faced with this situation, I do not think I would have been selfless enough to send my husband back, and probably would have been very angry and scared if he had left.

This guy can always get another job. When the situation is that dangerous, and there was a real possibility, at least in their minds, that he would not be coming home, I would rather my children and myself have an unemployed husband and father, rather than a heroic dead cop.

I know that is selfish, and that someone has to do the job. But my family comes first. I don't blame him.

[RexBeach]

He let down his family, his department and his city. He was an officer and his men looked to him for leadership and he bolted. Now that the storm has passed(please, God),I am rather certain that he feels very poorly about his decision. It will always weigh on his conscience.

I do, however, appreciate your sentiments. Many thanks for your thoughtful note.

[Robe]

"I would rather my children and myself have an unemployed husband and father, rather than a heroic dead cop.
I know that is selfish, and that someone has to do the job. But my family comes first. I don't blame him."



If your ever on a airplane in trouble, (God forbid) and the pilot comes waltzing down the aisle, whistling with a parachute over his shoulder.... I hope you feel the same way Then!!!

[untrained skeptic]

"I know that is selfish, and that someone has to do the job. But my family comes first. I don't blame him."

I only blame him because he chose to become a police officer.

He accepted the responsibility that job entails, and then failed to fulfill his duty.

He shouldn't be a police officer.

[FFIGHTER]

Where would our country be, if everyone had your same sense of duty. We would have no soldiers, no firemen, no policemen, we would have no country. Our country was founded on sacrifice and duty beyond oneself and one's family.

Duty, honor and country and not easily dismissive values as you suggest to many Americans, for that I am proud and thankful.

[cspackler]

I know that is selfish, and that someone has to do the job. But my family comes first. I don't blame him.

So, if you're being assaulted by a gun-wielding maniac, and a police officer comes by but decides that it's just too darn dangerous, and his family needs him, so he lets you get murdered... you're OK with that?

[DilJective]

But what about the families of those who were killed by criminals after the cops took off?

For those without the will to do the dangerous job, there are other lines of work. I wonder how many people were turned away for those jobs, who would have stayed to do their jobs?

There is no excuse for going AWOL as a police officer. He should never work as a cop again.

[Godebert]

Good thing for us that your husband isn't serving in our military.

[dread78645]

This guy can always get another job.

This is true. Hopefully it will be a job without any responsibility.