NYPD Mourns Fallen Officer While Baltimore PD May Be Investigated
The New York Police Department is mourning another fallen officer. Brian Moore, 25 and white, died three days after being shot in the face by Demetrius Blackwell, who is black. (According to Investor’s Business Daily, “FBI crime data over the past decade show that African-Americans commit a disproportionately high 40% of all cop-killings — more than three times their representation in the population.”) The reason in Blackwell’s case? Moore and his partner were in their unmarked vehicle when they asked Blackwell if he had a gun in his waistband. Instead of answering, Blackwell drew the stolen firearm and fired on the two, mortally wounding Moore and wounding his partner. The funeral will be Friday. “Officer Moore put his life on the line in order to protect his fellow New Yorkers, and our state is a better place because of him,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo said in a statement. “Like so many of his brothers and sisters in uniform, Officer Moore served with selflessness and courage, and he will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.” Yet this 25-year-old won’t receive the level of attention Freddie Gray, also 25, has. The reason is simple: Gray’s death after an injury while in police custody fits a narrative; Moore’s does not.
In fact, Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake announced Wednesday that she has requested a Justice Department review of the city’s police department, seemingly in hopes of finding systematic racism and abuse. DOJ said it’s “actively considering that option.” Recall the Justice report on Ferguson that found many disturbing stories of police abuse on the way to painting the picture the narrative needed. If DOJ takes up the case, expect a sequel. We certainly hope police and the communities they serve can come to a better understanding than what we’ve seen over recent turbulent months, but we don’t expect the race-baiting DOJ to help.